HC Deb 25 February 2002 vol 380 cc780-1W
Mr. Don Foster

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff were seconded between(a) PWC Consulting and PricewaterhouseCoopers, (b) Ernst & Young, (c) Deloitte & Touche, (d) KPMG and (e) Andersen and his Department in (i) 1999–2000, (ii) 2000–01 and (iii) April 2001 to the latest date for which figures are available. [33874]

Mr. McCartney

We have had no secondments between this Department (including Employment Service and the former Department of Social Security) and PWC Consulting and PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Ernst&Young, KPMG and Andersen for the periods listed.

However, as part of the One Project to pilot welfare reform options for clients of working age, a number of staff from the Benefits Agency and Employment Service have been seconded into Deloitte Consulting, which is an operating arm of Deloitte&Touche. The numbers are set out in the table.

Secondments to One pilots run by Deloitte Consulting
1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02
Benefits Agency 45 67 101
Employment Service 84 69 64
Total 129 136 165