§ Mr. HealdTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many days of sick leave were taken in his Department last year; how many related to employees suffering(a) stress and (b) other mental health problems; and what the cost was to his Department. [56471]
§ Ruth Kelly[holding answer 14 May 2002]The latest published information covering 2000 is contained in the annual report "Analysis of Sickness Absence in the Civil Service" published by the Cabinet Office. That report shows an average number of working days sickness absence per staff year of 9.9 days for non-industrial civil servants. The Treasury figure was 3.9 days per staff year. Around 14 per cent of sick absence in 2000 in the Treasury was for mental health conditions (including stress) and around 4 per cent was for stress. Information on costs could only be provided at a disproportionate cost. The Treasury has a legal obligation to provide a safe working environment for all employees and is committed to minimising the number of working days lost generally due to work related injuries and illness.