Asked by: Lord Boswell of Aynho (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the total cost of the Review of the Balance of Competences between the United Kingdom and the European Union to the Department for Transport and its associated agencies, broken down by (1) staff time, (2) printing costs, (3) running of engagement events, (4) witness expenses, (5) publicity of the reports, and (6) any and all other associated costs.
Answered by Baroness Kramer - Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Treasury and Economy)
The Balance of Competences Review concluded in December 2014. It was the most comprehensive analysis of the UK’s relationship with the EU ever undertaken. The Review involved a large number of Departments across Whitehall to produce the 32 reports. The Review was based on the evidence and views received through widespread consultation with interested parties from across society. Across the whole review, departments received close to 2,300 evidence submissions. Departments held over 250 events, attended by around 2,100 stakeholders.
It was important that what is an unprecedented examination of EU membership was done with appropriate time and care. But the government is also very conscious of the need to ensure value for money in everything that it does.
The cost to the Department for Transport (DfT) of the Balance of Competences (BOC) review is made up as follows:
(1) staff time
Work on the Review was allocated according to need to existing staff within the Department. Providing a full breakdown of staff time and costs would exceed the disproportionate cost threshold. DfT staff began work on the Review in October 2012 and continued until publication of the DfT BOC Transport report in February 2014.
(2) printing costs
DfT paid £3,123 for printing and publication of the Balance of Competences Transport report.
(3) running of engagement events
Engagement events to gather stakeholder views were held in-house in DfT and used internal meeting rooms, apart from one event which was held in Brussels. Costs were made up of staff time of those from DfT attending and facilitating these meetings. The 2 days of meetings in Brussels involved 2 DfT staff (at SCS1 and G7) and cost approximately £760.
(4) witness expenses
Across the whole of the Balance of Competences Review witness expenses amounted to approximately £2,255.
(5) publicity of the reports
Publicity for the Balance of Competences reports was conducted centrally by Cabinet Office. DfT undertook no separate report-specific publicity.
(6) any and all other associated costs
Nil.