HC Deb 16 January 2003 vol 397 cc711-2W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many days were lost due to sickness absence in the Department in 2002. [90536]

Mr. Evans

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many working days were lost due to illness in her Department in(a) 2002 and (b) each of the preceding five years. [90745]

Dr. Howells

Cabinet Office publishes an annual report "Analysis of Sickness Absence in the Civil Service". The most recently published figures for the calendar year 2001 were announced by Ministerial Statement on 19 December 2002, and copies placed in the Libraries of the House.

For DCMS the 2001 average working days absence per staff year figures were:

Number
Certified Sickness 3.8
Self-Certification 2.1
Total 5.9
Staff years 420

The 1999, 2000 and 2001 reports are available on the Cabinet Office website: www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/civilservice/publications/sickness/index.htm. The sickness absence figures for 2002 will be announced in due course.

DCMS is committed to managing sickness absence effectively, and in meeting the 2003 target for reduced sickness absence as set out in the Service Delivery Agreements (SDA).