Digital Communications Unit

Tim Loughton
To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much has been spent by his Department on its Digital Communications Unit in each year since its inception; how many people are employed by the unit; and what the unit's functions are.

Ms Diana R. Johnson
The Digital Communications Unit was created in 2008. The programme budget in the year 2008-2009 was £12.5 million and in 2009-10 planned expenditure of £10.8 million.

The number of full-time equivalent members of staff engaged in the Digital Communications Unit is currently 15 with no vacant posts, employed at a cost of £713,387 for 2008-09, with planned expenditure for 2009-10 being £705,553 The remit of the unit covers all online services from the Department including elements of Direct Gov, Teachers TV and essential email communications and phone line support services to local authorities, Regional Government Offices and to all schools.