Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the total cost of the Review of the Balance of Competences between the United Kingdom and the European Union to HM Treasury and its associated agencies, broken down by (1) staff time, (2) printing costs, (3) running of engagement events, (4) witness expenses, (5) publicity of the reports, and (6) any and all other associated costs.

As you will be aware, the Balance of Competences Review concluded in December. It was the most comprehensive analysis of the UK’s relationship with the EU ever undertaken. The Review involved a large number of Departments across Whitehall to produce the 32 reports. The Review was based on the evidence and views received through widespread consultation with interested parties from across society. Across the whole review, departments received close to 2,300 evidence submissions. Departments held over 250 events, attended by around 2,100 stakeholders.

It was important that what is an unprecedented examination of EU membership was done with appropriate time and care. But the government is also very conscious of the need to ensure value for money in everything that it does.

HMT produced four reports for the Balance of Competences Review: Taxation (semester 1), Financial Services and Free Movement of Capital, and EU Budget (semester 3), and Economic and Monetary Policy (semester 4).

Costs

1. Staff time

   Work on the Review was allocated according to need to existing staff within the Department. Providing a full breakdown of staff time and costs would exceed the disproportionate cost threshold.

2. Printing costs

   Her Majesty’s Treasury paid £16,776.27 for printing and publication of all four Balance of Competency reports.

3. Running of engagement events

   A number of engagement events were conducted, as set out in the annexes of each report or internally at no cost to the Treasury. A total of £400 was incurred for one event for the Balance of Competences report on Economic and Monetary Policy.

4. Witness expenses

   Across the whole of the Balance of Competences Review witness expenses amounted to approximately £2,255.00

   .

5. Publicity of the reports

   No expenses were incurred for publicity.

6. Any and all other associated costs

   For the Balance of Competences Report on Financial Services and Free Movement of Capital, a cost of £8,000 was incurred in production of a literature review from an external academic. This was required to supplement the evidence on the free movement of capital and to allow for a separate, more in-depth analysis. The literature review was published alongside the report as evidence.