Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, with reference to page 98 of his Department's Annual Report and Accounts for 2013-14, what the reasons are for the change in spending between 2012-13 and 2013-14 on leases for (a) the core department and (b) the departmental group.

The cost of building leases for the core Department increased from nil in 2012-13 to £560k in 2013-14 as a result of a new lease on additional office accommodation.

The cost of building leases for the Group increased from £1,259k in 2012-13 to £2,297k in 2013-14 due to the lease by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority of an additional building from December 2012 and the termination of a rent free period on a second building.