HC Deb 26 March 2004 vol 419 cc1125-6W
Hugh Bayley

: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many full-time equivalent jobs there were in his Department and its executive agencies, and prior to 2001 with the Department of Social Security and its agencies, and those agencies which transferred to his Department in 2001, in each year since 1997. [162975]

Maria Eagle

: Information is not available on the number of full time equivalent jobs in the Department for Work and Pensions as the numbers of historical vacancies at any given time is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

The number of full time equivalent permanent and temporary staff employed in the Department for Work and Pensions, and the relevant predecessor organisations, for each year since 1997 is shown in the table.

Department of Social Security The Employment Service Total Department for Work and Pensions
31 March 1997 98,194 31,550 129,744
31 March 1998 93,635 30,796 124,431
31 March 1999 95,048 32,675 127,723
31 March 2000 87,261 32,620 119,881
31 March 2001 85,423 34,110 119,531
31 March 2002 126,906
31 March 2003 130,007

Notes:

  1. 1. Figures are on a whole time equivalent (rounded) and include temporary staff.
  2. 2. Figures are point in time at the dates quoted.
  3. 3. Figures are consistent with Cabinet Office definitions other than that staff on paid maternity leave are included in the figures above.
  4. 4. The reduction in the Department of Social Security staffing in 1999–2000 takes account of the transfer of the Contributions Agency and Working Families Tax Credits to the Inland Revenue.
  5. 5. The reduction in staffing in 2000–01 takes account of the outsourcing of the Information Technology Services Agency.