To ask the Minister of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many officials work in the (a) Further Education, (b) Higher Education and (c) Business and Skills division of his Department's Universities and Skills Directorate. (277990)

As of 31 March 2009, 457 officials work in the Department's Further Education and Skills and Higher Education Groups. This figure is taken from the TRENT payroll system.

Further Education and Skills Group (FESG): 310

Higher Education Group: 147.

This includes 13 staff working in the Joint Apprenticeship Unit, which reports to both DCSF and DIUS.

These two Groups are currently restructuring to become the Universities and Skills Group with a separate Directorate whose work will be to set up the new Skills Funding Agency. Adult Skills Directorate, which was part of FESG will be moving to join the new Business Innovation Group.

The staffing for the new groups is being finalised, until it is we cannot give final information on staff numbers.