To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in his Department have been allowed to work from home for part of the week in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on home working. (143873)

DWP employees may work from home in two categories:

(a) Permanently, on a contractual basis; and

(b) On an ad hoc basis.

The number of employees who have contracted as permanent home workers are:

DWP does not collect statistical data about ad hoc home working arrangements.

Managers may exercise discretion and authorise ad-hoc home working for a variety of reasons.

The Department recognises the advantage of having a range of different working arrangements, which both meet business needs and enable its employees to balance work and their personal life. Home working is only one of a range of flexible working arrangements that are available to DWP employees.