Written question asked by Lord Laird (Ulster Unionist Party), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Taylor of Holbeach (Conservative) on Monday, 6 December 2010.

Civil Service: Staff

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Taylor of Holbeach on 23 November (WA 293), what was the cost of collecting and publishing socioeconomic data on the Senior Civil Service and new entrants thereto; what was the estimated cost of monitoring fast stream entrants from 2011; and whether the purpose of this data collection is to achieve a particular proportion of entrants from certain socioeconomic backgrounds.

Answer: The collecting and publishing of socioeconomic data on the Senior Civil Service is part of normal business activity and therefore no separate cost figures are available. The cost for systems and registration changes to enable the monitoring of the socioeconomic background of fast stream applicants is £9,464 plus VAT. There is no estimate available for additional monitoring costs as this will be absorbed within the usual costs of running the fast stream programme. There are no targets for achieving a particular proportion of employees from different socioeconomic backgrounds.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 4647; 723 c4WA
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Civil Service: Staff
Tuesday, 23 November 2010
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Costs Monitoring Statistics Senior civil servants Social class
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk