Written question asked by Jake Berry (Conservative) on Monday, 26 March 2012, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 16 April 2012. It was answered by Norman Lamb (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 16 April 2012 on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Northwest Regional Development Agency

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether staff employed by the Northwest Regional Development Agency received retention bonuses after the announcement by the Government of the abolition of the regional development agencies.

Answer: The eight regional development agencies (RDAs) have put in place arrangements to secure the retention of key staff until the agencies are closed. They have made these arrangements with the approval of the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), and HM Treasury. This is to safeguard the taxpayer's interest in making best use of the significant public assets that the RDAs have owned. A retention payment process had been recommended to be put into place by the National Audit Office. At the Northwest Regional Development Agency to date, three members of staff have received retention payments on completion of duties when made redundant.

Secondary information