(2) if he will list the outside bodies consulted by David Freud during his review of the welfare system;
(3) whether David Freud invited written submissions from outside bodies as part of the research for his review of the welfare system.
During the preparation of his review, David Freud met a variety of external stakeholders, both in face to face meetings and in a seminar environment. He made clear in these discussions that he welcomed contributions. After publication of his report, at the international conference on 26 March 2007, the Secretary of State invited all stakeholders to send in their views to the Department.
David Freud involved officials from across the Department in his review and informed Ministers of the progress of his review on eight occasions.
(2) what contribution was made by David Freud to decisions on the scope of his review of the welfare system; and if he will make a statement.
The terms of reference for David Freud’s review were published on 18 December 2006. They were
“to review progress on Welfare to Work programmes since 1997, taking account of evidence from the UK and international experience, and make recommendations on how the Government can build on its success in using policies such as the New Deal to continue to reduce inactivity and in-work poverty, and to help meet the Government’s 80 per cent employment aspiration.”
In preparing his report, David Freud used information from a variety of sources, looking at both the UK and international welfare systems. Key information sources re referenced at the relevant points in his report, which has been placed in the Library.
(2) how many staff (a) from his Department and (b) from outside his Department were involved in drafting the final report of David Freud’s review of the welfare system, broken down by job title and pay grade;
(3) what David Freud’s involvement was in selecting staff to work on his review of the welfare system; and if he will make a statement;
(4) how many civil servants from his Department worked on David Freud’s review of the welfare system, broken down by civil service grade.
David Freud involved officials from across the Department in his review and was supported by a secretariat of three officials on a full-time basis and two officials on a part-time basis. The breakdown by civil service grade is illustrated as follows.
Civil service grade Full-time basis Part-time basis SCS PB1 1 1 Grade 7 1 1 EO 1 —
David Freud selected the Head of his Secretariat from two potential appointees put forward by the Department. The remaining members of the secretariat were assigned to the work by the Department.
No specific budget was allocated for the review. The costs of the staff that formed the secretariat for the review were borne within the Department’s overall staffing allocation.