§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much staff time, and at what estimated cost, was put into compiling the departmental annual report; and what were the figures for each year for which figures are available since 1990. [20177]
§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures the Department takes to assess the cost and staff implications of compiling material for the departmental annual report. [20178]
§ Mr. HagueThe Department is required to publish a report to Parliament accounting for the stewardship of450W public funds and spending plans. This is also an opportunity, within the spirit of open government, to make available to the public information about the Department's work and activities. There is a common core of information that all Departments must include to present a consistent picture of public spending across all programmes. Above that, the Department has relative freedom to determine the style and content of the report.
The Department controls costs by allocating budgets for items of expenditure to managers rather than costing specific processes, such as preparation of reports. In preparing the departmental report the Department strives to produce a clear and comprehensive document which represents good value for money.