§ Adam PriceTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost was of the two days' industrial action taken in February by staff in his Department; and what the cost was of moving priority work to other locations. [165825]
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§ Mr. PondIt is not possible to estimate the financial cost without incurring disproportionate costs. Any costs incurred for example in extra overtime payments to staff, would be offset by the savings made on staff salaries. The Department's businesses routinely move work around locations in order to optimise their services. Our information technology enables this to be done without incurring extra costs. There was no significant movement of work during the strike action. Our contingency arrangements allowed us to minimise the disruption to services to the most vulnerable members of society for whom the Department's services exist.