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Dept for Education and Skills

Answer

Mr. George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many gyms are available to the staff in the Department; and what the cost of providing them was in the last year for which figures are available. [204365] Derek Twigg: My Department is committed to providing staff with pro-active occupational health policies and uses health awareness programmes to promote and encourage healthy lifestyle options. Staff who work in London and Sheffield have access to on site gyms. Both gyms are funded by the Civil Service Sports Council and are supported locally by staff using the facilities. The department's financial commitment to both gyms is nominal and covers space, cleaning, heating and lighting. Staff working in London also have access to the Civil Service Sports Council Recreation Centre in SW1 which is only five minutes from the department's headquarter offices. In Sheffield, Runcorn and Darlington corporate discounts have been negotiated locally with both local authority and private fitness and leisure centres. My department does not subsidise individual members of staff using these facilities. For staff that prefer alternative fitness programmes there are local arrangements in place during lunchtime and after work, subject to demand, for exercise classes such as yoga, aerobics and pilates. The department's financial commitment is again nominal and covers space, cleaning, heating and lighting.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

204365; 428 c1700W;428 c1698W

Session

2004-05

Subjects

Costs Government departments Facilities Sports Department for Education and Skills Gyms

Link

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