Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Education pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 16 March 2011, Official Report, columns 9-10WS, on the public bodies reform programme, what estimate he has made of the savings to his Department net of costs incurred in the assumption of additional departmental responsibilities to accrue from the abolition of 11 public bodies within his Department's area of responsibility.
Answer
[holding answer 21 March 2011]: On 16 March 2011, Official Report, columns 9-10WS, the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, the right hon. Member for Horsham (Mr Maude), issued a written ministerial statement updating Parliament on progress on public bodies reform. That statement also announced that Departments estimate cumulative administrative savings of at least £2.6 billion will flow from public bodies over the spending review period.I anticipate net overall administrative savings from structural reforms over the spending review period of approximately £592 million. Overall administrative reductions from reform of all departmental public bodies are estimated to be up to £674 million over the spending review period.