Written question asked by James Duddridge (Conservative) on Monday, 21 July 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 6 October 2008. It was answered by Baroness Hughes of Stretford (Labour) on Monday, 6 October 2008 on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Departmental Databases

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what use (a) his Department and (b) its agencies make of (i) MOSAIC data and (ii) ACORN data.

Answer: The Department does not currently hold a licence for either MOSAIC or ACORN data. The Department has previously used ACORN data under licence to supplement our existing data sources by combining the Department's data with the characteristics of the people who live in local areas. Examples of how we have used this information to analyse pupil attainment are published on the Department's website:"www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway"Information about the extent to which the Department's NDPBs make use of either MOSAIC or ACORN data can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Secondary information