§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many university students his Department and associated agencies have supported or sponsored with a work placement in the last year; what his policy is on work placements; what plans he has to develop such schemes; and what his policy is on paying their university fees. [98533]
§ Hilary BennThe total number of university students supported or sponsored with a work placement by the Home Office over the last 12 months is 81.
The Research Development and Statistics Directorate placed 26 research trainees for a period of 12 months.
Two sandwich students were placed in the Commercial and Procurement Unit for six month placements:
Two sandwich students were placed in the Police Scientific Development Branch at Langhurst for 12 months and one for six months.The Police Scientific Development Branch at Sandridge took on 22 sandwich students for a period of 12 months and three students for summer placements.In addition, 20 students were offered summer placements under the Summer Development Scheme and five students were sponsored under the Windsor Fellowship scheme.All the students were paid for the period of work. Sandwich students were paid at the Administrative Assistant rate, Summer Development Scheme student were paid at the Administrative Officer rate and Windsor Fellowship students are paid Executive Officer salaries as well as a £4,500 sponsorship fee.There is no Home Office specific policy on this matter, nor are there any plans to further develop existing schemes, or provide additional payments for university fees.The Home Department remains committed to supporting and encouraging work placements and to encouraging under-graduates to consider a career in the Civil Service.