To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what payments the Financial Services Skills Council made to Cicero Consulting in each of the last five years; and on what date and for what purpose the payment was made in each case. (202262)

The Financial Services Skills Council has contracted with Cicero Consulting since December 2006. The payments and contract between Financial Services Skills Council and Cicero Consulting are current and commercial in confidence. Under the arrangements Cicero Consulting provide expertise and advice on financial services for a fixed amount of hours per month. It is important that the SSC has a sound understanding of the issues faced by and the views of the industry and consumers.