§ Mr. JenkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many members of staff at his Department are locally elected democratic representatives; and if he has a strategy for his Department to encourage members of staff to become locally elected democratic representatives. [44537]
§ Angela EagleThe information requested is not held centrally.
Staff in the Home Office (including the Prison Service) who are elected members of a local authority are allowed up to 18 days special leave with pay to perform their duties. This total may be increased to 24 days if the Department is satisfied that the duties equate to those of a Lord Mayor. Consideration will be given to granting paid special leave to other locally elected democratic representatives on an individual basis.
The Home Office is the lead Government Department for the active community initiative. Staff can take paid leave for volunteering in certain public capacities (e.g. school governors up to six days, magistrates up to 18 days). Staff in the non-agency Home Office can also take up to five days paid leave a year for any other voluntary activity.
129WA volunteering manager has recently been appointed, seconded from the voluntary sector, to actively promote volunteering among Home Office staff, ensure that a wide range of opportunities are available, monitor participation and evaluate the benefits to the individual and the Department.