To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much his Department paid to Common Purpose in each of the last five years; for what purpose; and what the outcome of the expenditure was. (147609)

The former Department for Education and Skills concluded a contract in September 2004 for £28,800 and April 2005 for £22,900 with Common Purpose to provide challenging and diverse learning experiences for future leaders. Participants were able to research and explore how the Department’s policies impacted “on the ground” in relation to the Department’s Five Year Strategy, and gain a greater appreciation of how Government policies were interpreted and implemented by service deliverers in public, private and voluntary/community sectors and the constraints facing different organisations.

In addition Common Purpose South Yorkshire currently has free use of a small accommodation unit in the Sheffield site of the Department for Children, Schools and Families.