Performance Inspection

Mr. Pickles
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what reductions in inspection have been implemented for (a) good and (b) excellent councils since the introduction of comprehensive performance assessment.

Mr. Woolas
Between 2001-02 and 2004-05 the total number of inspections the Audit Commission, Ofsted, Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) and Benefit Fraud Inspectorate carried out in excellent councils reduced by up to 72 per cent. and in good councils by up to 54 per cent.