Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how much his Department has spent on (a) taxis, (b) first class train tickets and (c) business class air travel in each of the last five years.

Reflecting our responsibilities for local government, housing, planning and communities across England, the work of the Department involves staff travelling to different parts of the country.

• In 2009-10, the Department spent £85,853 on taxis. We have cut this to £28,999 in 2013-14.
• In 2009-10, the Department spent £216,591 on first class rail in the UK. We have cut this to £5,764 in 2013-14.
• In 2009-10, the Department spent £34,108 on business class air. We have cut this to £10,891 in 2013-14.

A yearly breakdown is attached. There will be business cases for such travel, but we have significantly reduced costs compared to the last Labour Government.

I would add that, since 2010, the Department has taken on responsibility for residual functions of the Government Offices for the Regions, and also oversight of the European Regional Development Fund following the abolition of the Regional Development Agencies. As these business functions relate to work in areas outside London and working with the European Commission, this has therefore increased the business need for travel. However, this is far more than offset by the very significant savings to taxpayers from the abolition of these regional quangos; and overall, we have still managed to reduce travel costs through better procurement and tighter management controls on costs.