§ Mrs. MayTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many staff are employed by the Connexions Service National Unit; and what is its planned yearly running costs [158997]
§ Mr. Wicks[holding answer 26 April 2001]: The Connexions National Unit now has responsibility for a number of different policy strands. As at 1 April 2001 95 (Full Time Equivalent) staff are employed, developing core activities and services for Connexions. A further 65 are included in the National Unit who are employed in the administration of programmes related to Connexions, for example Millennium Volunteers, the Neighbourhood Support Fund, New Start and the Learning Gateway. The National Unit's running cost budget for the year 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002 is £6.4 million. This includes the running cost budget for the administration of the programmes referred to.