Written question asked by James Clappison (Conservative) on Monday, 4 July 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 6 July 2011. It was answered by Lord Willetts (Conservative) on Monday, 11 July 2011 on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Higher Education: Admissions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what administrative or other support he has made available to the Government's Advocate for Access to Education; and what estimate he has made of the cost of such support.

Answer: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills agreed to provide a limited amount of administrative support because of the natural synergies between the Advocate for Access to Education work and Higher Education policy. The Department provided him with a desk and a phone line at no additional cost to the Department as this was available within our normal capacity. He was assigned the services of two BIS officials—one part time and one full time—who were between permanent roles within the Department, the approximate employment costs for whom were £28,000 (1.0) and £14,500 (0.5) respectively. He was also assigned two members of Department for Education staff (Grade 7 and EO both 0.4 pro rata) during the busiest period.

Secondary information