Question

To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what, if any, has been the annual saving to the two Houses of the outsourcing of the switchboard service; and how are the costs of that service apportioned between the two Houses.

The Senior Deputy Speaker has asked me, as Chairman of the Services Committee, to respond on his behalf.

The saving projected when the outsourced switchboard provider, 3C Ltd, changed to Capita PLC in May 2012 was £1.53m. The saving was projected over the course of 7 years, meaning that the average forecast annual saving was £218.57k. Saving over the full 7 year term is now forecast to be £1.88m, providing an average annual saving of £269.33k. The actual saving after 6 years has been £1.45m, with an average annual saving of £242.36k.

Until 31 March 2015, 20% of costs were apportioned to the House of Lords and 80% to the House of Commons. Since 1 April 2015, 30% of costs are apportioned to the House of Lords and 70% to the House of Commons.