§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment she has made of regional variations in staff turnover in the Department. [112755]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonStaff turnover is reviewed on an on-going basis. For the year ending 31 March 2003 the turnover rate of the total workforce was 8.63 per cent, compared to 10.60 per cent, for the previous year. This reduction was reflected across all regions (apart from Wales where the rate increased slightly from 8 per cent, to 8.8 per cent.) due to a number of transfers to other Government Departments. The north west has the lowest turnover rate at 6 per cent. London has the highest rate, at 11 per cent.
Resignations remain the highest single factor for leaving and this is consistent across all regions followed by transfers to other Government departments and retirements. There is no single factor behind the reasons for resigning. In line with the recent announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, my Department will be updating its workforce development plans to assist the review being conducted by Sir Michael Lyons on relocation.