§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many staff in his Office and its agencies were seconded from the(a) private and (b) academic sector in each of the last three years. [174817]
§ Yvette CooperThe Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was created on 29 May 2002.
The purpose of bringing people into the civil service from other sectors is to fill skills gaps and to provide new perspectives and insights. For the individuals themselves, the secondment provides experience of another sector and an opportunity to enhance existing skills and develop others.
From 29 May 2002 to 31 March 2003 there were 15 secondees from the private sector and three from the academic sector working in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. From 1 April 2003 until 31 March 2004 there were 13 secondees from the private sector and six secondees from the academic sector working in the Office.