The payment of travelling expenses to the Learning and Skills Council’s staff is an operational matter. Mark Haysom, the Chief Executive of the Learning and Skills Council, has write to the hon. Member with the information requested and a copy of his reply has been placed in the House Library.
Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 9 January 2007:
Further to your recent question to the Secretary of State for Education and Skills on how much was spent on travel expenses for staff by the Learning and Skills Council in (a) 2005 and (b) 2006,1 can provide the following information.
The Learning and Skills Council produces figures on a financial year basis, 1 April to 31 March, and this has been used here. 2006-2007 financial year has not yet completed but I have quoted figures for the eight months complete at the time of writing.
The Learning and Skills Council's expenditure on staff travel expenses can be analysed as follows:
Description 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2006 (12 Months) 1 April 2006 to 30 November 2006 (8 Months) Total staff travel and subsistence expenses (£ million) 17.999 5.363 Number of expense claims therein 26,406 13,765 Average number of claims per month 2,200 1,720 Average claim amount (£) 144 148 1As per note 7a of the LSC’s financial statements’ travel and subsistence-staff expenses
Purchased rail travel, vehicle leasing and hotel bookings make up the majority of the difference between the expense claims and the total staff travel and subsistence expenses. I hope that you find this information helpful.