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Written question asked by David Amess (Conservative) on Monday, 16 October 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 18 October 2006. It was answered by Jim Fitzpatrick (Labour) on Wednesday, 1 November 2006 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Departmental Redundancies

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has for (a) voluntary and (b) compulsory redundancies in his Department during (i) 2006-07 and (ii) 2007-08 financial years; and how many officials in his Department, have (A) taken voluntary severance and (B) been made, or informed that they will be made, redundant in each month since July 2006 broken down by (1) directorate and (2) grade.
Answer

The Department’s strategy is to become a more streamlined, influential, policy-making Department at the centre of the DTI family, with delivery through our agencies and arm’s length bodies. In order to do this we are undertaking a number of reviews that, in tandem with significant pressures across all budgets, are likely to lead to some reduction in staff numbers.The Department and the trade unions are committed to working together to make every attempt to avoid compulsory redundancies. However, the Department has decided to put the consultation on a statutory footing because the scale of the changes may result in some compulsory redundancies.As part of the Department’s Efficiency Programme, the DTI has supported over 450 people during the last two years. They have been given help with upskilling and job search and have either been redeployed or have taken advantage of exit schemes. Despite this some 11 individuals remain without posts and were made aware on 2 August 2006 that they will receive notice of redundancy in the near future. During the period of notice they will remain supported by the Department to help secure alternative suitable posts.The following number of officials have taken early severance since July 2006:

Number of staff Range DTI group
2006
July 2 6s UK Trade and Investment
August 1 8 Operations
1 6 UK Trade and Investment

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
451 c527W; 95109
Session
2005-06
Subjects
Department of Trade and Industry Redundancy
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk