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Travel

Answer

Information on departmental spend in relation to the Government Car Service is published in the annual written ministerial statement, details of which can be found within the Libraries of both Houses. The following provide links to the relevant publications.

2009-10

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm101028/wmstext/101028m0001.htm#10102827000372

2010-11

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201212/cmhansrd/cm120116/wmstext/120116m0001.htm#12011611000194

2011-12

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmhansrd/cm121220/wmstext/121220m0001.htm#12122056000216

The charges recorded in the latest statement show a continuing reduction in the amount spent on official cars for Ministers. Costs to Departments have seen a 49% reduction in the latest figures when compared to those of the previous year and a 72% reduction when compared to the figures for April 2009 to March 2010.

Details of the costs for 2012-13 will be published in the normal way later this year.

The table gives details of this Department's spend on taxis since 2009-10. Prior to this Administration, Ministers were allocated a car each by GCS, but due to the need to observe the Working Time Directive, the use of taxis was high.

From 2010 to 1 October 2012, GCS offered an 'ad hoc' service, which reduced the reliance on taxis and, therefore, money spent on taxis.

From 1 October 2012, a combination of taxis and a departmental official vehicle have been used for official journeys; the car is available to all departmental officials, including Ministers. Details of costs and journeys undertaken by individuals in the official car are not held.

	Total amount (£)
2009-10	6,730.16
2010-11	525.53
2011-12	423.64
2012-13	4,771.11

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

142647; 559 cc982-3W

Session

2012-13

Subjects

Department for Work and Pensions Taxis Travel Official cars

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

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