Departmental Public Expenditure
Work and Pensions
Written answers and statements, 3 November 2009
Mark Todd (South Derbyshire, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps her Department is taking to implement the efficiency recommendations of the Operational Efficiency programme relating to her Department; and what training is available to (a) Ministers and (b) officials in her Department in respect of the delivery of value for money savings.
Jim Knight (Minister of State (the South West), Regional Affairs; South Dorset, Labour)
The Department for Work and Pensions is participating in the Operational Efficiency Programme benchmarking exercise led by the Treasury, and we have set up a Departmental Efficiency Group to identify and implement efficiency improvements arising from this.
I have taken on a role as the Department's Value for Money Minister and am engaging with the Treasury to ensure we drive forward this agenda.
There is a wide range of learning and development opportunities available across the Department, many of which are focused on driving Value for Money. In particular, we have set up a lean academy which will enable managers and staff to improve efficiency and customer service.