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University for Industry: Citigate Public Affairs

Answer

The payments made by Ufi at this level of detail are not collected by my Department. This is an operational matter for Ufi since they determine any payments to local providers, partners and other organisations that are necessary to support the delivery of the Ufi's key priorities and targets. Sarah Jones, Ufi's chief executive, has written to the hon. Member with further information and a copy of her reply has been placed in the House Library.Letter from Sarah Jones, dated 1 May 2008:"I write following your Parliamentary Question regarding the payment of fees to Citigate Public Affairs over the last five years. ""The table below outlines the expenditure of Ufi, the company which owns and operates learndirect services in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, in relation to this public affairs company:"

£
	12 months 2003¹	12 months 2004¹	12 months 2005¹	12 months 2006	12 months 2007	3 months 2008	Total
England/general	142,061	71,219	18,057	14,400	13,200	2,400	261,337
Wales	36,000	21,000	—	—	—	—	57,000
N Ireland	4,500	3,500	4,500	—	—	—	12,500
MP database	—	10,400	—	—	—	—	10,400
Public Accounts Committee	—	—	8,825	—	—	—	8,825
Party conference fees	—	24,636	—	—	—	—	24,636
Other	—	14,850	—	—	—	—	14,850
	182,561	145,605	31,382	14,400	13,200	2,400	389,548
¹ Citigate Public Affairs services to 2005 were purchased via Central Office of Information.
Note:
Citigate Public Affairs were taken over by Grayling Group in June 2007—sums paid to Grayling Group are therefore included for consistency

"The fees noted above covered the provision of the following services:"2003"Management of Ufi's attendance at the three main autumn party conferences.""Weekly provision of parliamentary and environmental monitoring on education and skills issues and policy.""Provision of ad hoc public affairs advice to the Chief Executive at that time.""Development and delivery of communications campaigns to Whitehall and Westminster audience to promote the contribution of learndirect to delivering the Government's skills agenda.""Provision of briefings on MPs to Ufi staff in preparation for visits by MPs to learndirect centres.""Building, populating and maintaining a database recording contact between Ufi and learndirect, and MPs through visits to centres and correspondence."2004"Management of attendance at the three main autumn party conferences.""Weekly provision of parliamentary and environmental monitoring on education and skills issues and policy.""Provision of ad hoc public affairs advice to the Chief Executive at that time.""Development and delivery of communications campaigns to Whitehall and Westminster audience to promote the contribution of learndirect to delivering the Government's skills agenda.""Provision of briefings on MPs to Ufi staff in preparation for visits by MPs to learndirect centres.""Building, populating and maintaining a database recording contact between Ufi and learndirect, and MPs through visits to centres and correspondence."2005"Preparation for Ufi's first appearance before the Public Accounts Committee (14 November 2005), including training of Ufi witnesses and background briefing on Committee members.""Building, populating and maintaining a database recording contact between Ufi and learndirect, and MPs through visits to centres and correspondence."2006"Building, populating and maintaining a database recording contact between Ufi and learndirect, and MPs through visits to centres and correspondence."2007"Building, populating and maintaining a database recording contact between Ufi and learndirect, and MPs through visits to centres and correspondence."2008"Building, populating and maintaining a database recording contact between Ufi and learndirect and MPs through visits to centres and correspondence.""I believe this information answers the Parliamentary Question you posed on 24 April 2008."

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

475 c1484-6W; 202263

Session

2007-08

Subjects

Consultants UfI

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk