To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information his Department has provided to staff at the Chepstow Forensic Science Service laboratory on the proposed Forensic Science Service closure and redundancy programme. (286623)

On 24 June, the Forensic Science Service (FSS) shared proposals about the approach to redundancy and operational site deployment with both trade union and employee forum representatives and copies of these proposals were made available to all FSS staff.

The approach to redundancy proposal covers:

Individual consultation

Appeals process

Maximising redeployment opportunities

Trial periods

Notice periods

Support and outplacement

Redundancy package

Voluntary redundancy.

The operational site deployment proposal covers the approach, rationale and proposed site deployment based on the proposed move to national business streams. It provides details about:

the options considered;

the criteria against which the proposed option was selected (e.g. co-location of body fluid/DNA casework;

available laboratory space;

delivery of the national framework products/services and quality;

lowest risk to customer disengagement;

the operational considerations and impacts.