To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the Valuation Office Agency's policy is on its staff travelling first class by (a) rail and (b) air. (130545)

The Valuation Office Agency's travel; policy is set out in Section 7 of the Guide to Working in the Valuation Office Agency. The relevant section is enclosed:

All staff should normally use standard (or economy) class travel for:

all rail journeys

all air journeys of less than 90 minutes (each way)

all ferry (or equivalent) travel

However, you may travel first class if:

you are Band 2 or above, or

you have reserved rights to travel first class (and you have completed the appropriate declaration), and

the travel is for business) purposes (i.e. not for investitures, royal garden parties etc)

Nevertheless, even if you are entitled to first class travel, you should still use standard class) if you are undertaking a rail journey of short duration (i.e. of up to ground one hour for a single journey, or around two hours for a return journey). And you are also recommended to consider standard class for longer 'commuter type' travel, even when the journey time may exceed the durations mentioned above.

All staff may travel first class on an APEX ticket provided this is cheaper than the full standard class fare (and no standard class APEX tickets are available). Exceptionally, and subject to approval by your line manager before the journey takes place, you may also travel first class if:

you have special needs that require you to travel first class

there is a business need for you to travel with a colleague who may travel first class.