To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how much and what proportion of the annual budget for the (a) Better Regulation Executive and (b) Local Better Regulation Office has been spent on staff costs in each year since inception. (276292)

The Better Regulation Executive (BRE) was established in May 2005. The staff costs were £4.6 million in 2005/06 (85 per cent. of total spend); £5.6 million in 2006/07 (88 per cent.); £6.4 million in 2007/08 (94 per cent.); and £6.0 million in 2008/09 (87 per cent.).

The Local Better Regulation Office (LBRO) was established in September 2007. The staff costs were £0.8 million in 2007/08 and £1.7 million in 2008/09. Staff costs accounted for 50 per cent. and 37 per cent. of total spend respectively.

The 2007/08 LBRO figures account for a partial financial year from September 2007-March 2008 and reflect the fact that LBRO was not yet fully staffed.

Staff costs include salaries and other costs directly associated with staff in post.