Question
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 16 March 2011, Official Report, columns 9-10WS, on the public bodies reform programme, what estimate she has made of the savings to the Government Equalities Office net of costs incurred in the assumption of additional departmental responsibilities to accrue from (a) the abolition of 11 public bodies within the Office's area of responsibility and (b) the change in function of one such body.
Answer
[holding answer 21 March 2011]: The Minister for the Cabinet Office issued a written ministerial statement on 16 March 2011, Official Report, columns 9-10WS, 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.For bodies sponsored or formerly sponsored by the Government Equalities Office, I anticipate from structural reforms net overall savings of £86 million, and net overall administrative savings of £37 million, over the spending review period.