HC Deb 12 February 1990 vol 167 c14W
104. Mr. Harry Greenway

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the increase or decrease in(a) the work undertaken by the Civil Service and (b) the number of civil servants (i) since 1974 and (ii) since 1979; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ryder

The information on workload changes is not available in the form requested. However, it is estimated that, between 1979 and 1988, the workload for new and existing activities increased by the equivalent of 85,000 posts. This was, of course, more than fully offset by efficiency improvements and cost-effective transfers outside the Civil Service.

The changes in the number of civil servants are as follows:

  1. (i) 692,036 at 1 April 19744
  2. (ii) 732,275 at 1 April 1979, an increase of 40,239 (5.8 per cent.))
  3. (iii) 565,075 at 1 October 1989, a decrease of 167,200 (22.8 per cent.