Written question asked by Mark Hoban (Conservative) on Thursday, 17 July 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 21 July 2008. It was answered by David Lammy (Labour) on Wednesday, 10 September 2008 on behalf of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills.

Departmental Public Participation

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what (a) listening exercises and (b) public forums his Department has held since establishment; what the (i) purpose and (ii) cost was in each case; and who the private contractor was and how much it was paid in each case.

Answer

The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills was created as a result of Machinery of Government changes in June 2007.Since its establishment the Department has held the following listening exercises and public forums:

Listening exercise/public forum/consultations	Purpose	Total cost (£)	Of which: Private contractor	Cost (£)	Service provided
Informal Adult Learning (IAL) Citizen Summit x1 June 2008	Facilitate debate with members of the public around the key issues and aims of the consultation. Define the broad range of IAL activities. Develop proposal for the 'new vision' of IAL. Deliver qualitative and quantitative information on the experiences of the public.	¹115,470.70	BMRB (British Market Research Bureau)	59,357.00	Event facilitation
			Hilton Paddington	9,270.52	Venue
			Stage Electrics	*4,600.00	Site production, lighting etc.
			Cheerful Scout	6,810.00	Voting and data capture
			Neal Display	*4,000.00	Set and staging

Informal Adult Learning Stakeholder Roundtable Discussions x7 May to July 2008	Engage the following sectors in the IAL consultation: broadcast and technology; families; older learners; the workplace; the voluntary and community sector. Plus a reconvened event to discuss the sector findings.	36,721.75	None

Five student juries altogether in the financial year 2007-08	To capture the views of higher education students and feed them into the policy-making process.	20,000.00	SHM Productions Ltd.	20,000.00

The European Research Area (ERA)—new perspectives.	To inform the UK Government's response to the Commission's Green paper 'The European Research Area (ERA)—new perspectives'.	4,686.30	Institution of Mechanical Engineers	4,686.30	Venue hire etc.

Raising Expectations: enabling the system to deliver—nine regional events relating to FE.	To raise awareness and understanding of the proposals set out in Raising Expectations: enabling the system to deliver and to capture views on them.	²201,924.56	None

The Review Report 'World Class Apprenticeships: Unlocking Talent, Building Skills for All'.	Readers were asked to provide comments/views on future strategy for Apprenticeships set out in the document. The Central Office of Information strategy consultancy were engaged to produce an assessment report of the 104 responses received.	8,240.00	None

Public consultation on the draft Apprenticeships Bill.	This is a joint consultation with DCSF. It is hosted by the DCSF consultation unit. Its purpose is to consult on the draft Bill.	³0	None

Single Equality Scheme consultation event.	Single equality scheme consultation to gauge public opinion and input prior to publication of scheme.	32,324.00	Paul James Associates	32,324.00	Management and facilitation of event plus post event consultation with attendees and production of report.

Adult advancement and careers service.	Workshop held to share expertise and views on the development of new adult advancement and careers service.	22,000.00	CRAC: The Career Development Organisation and the National Institute for Careers Education and Counselling.	22,000.00

Five regional innovation roadshow events in north-west, east of England, north-east, west midlands and south-west regions held between May and July 2008. Further events in east midlands, south-east, London and Yorkshire and Humber due to take place in September to November.	To promote the range of support available regionally to businesses for innovation and to facilitate discussion with a business audience on the main recommendations of the Innovation Nation White Paper.	4100,000.00	5—	5—
¹ Full final costs not yet invoiced by some suppliers—costs marked '*' based on budget.
² Contract delivered by the Central Office of Information.
³ No external costs.
4 The total costs of the nine events will be approximately £90,000-100,000. The costs will be split 50/50 between DIUS and the regional development agencies.
5 Event arrangements such as venue hire, printing of materials etc. and any related private sector costs are procured by the regional development agency for each event. DIUS has agreed to meet 50 per cent. of total costs which may include costs for private contractors.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 221353; 479 c1928-32W
Session: 2007-08
Subjects: Public participation Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk

Departmental Public Participation

Secondary information

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