According to figures published by the Cabinet Office last week, water industry regulator Ofwat was the slowest of all non-departmental agencies to respond to enquiries – last year it only managed to reply to 39% within its target of 10 working days.
The figures were included in a report published by Francis Maude Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General on Departments’ and agencies’ performance on handling Members’ and peers’ correspondence during the calendar year 2012.
Out of a total of 108 letters received, Ofwat managed to send only 39% of replies within its target set for reply of 10 working days. The figures demonstrate a significant deterioration in performance by the water sector regulator compared with the previous year. In 2011 76% of replies by Ofwat were sent within the 10 day target in response to 93 MPs and peers’ letters.
The Attorney-General’s Office topped the list, achieving 97% of its 20 day target in response to 525 letters. The Treasury was the slowest government department last year for responding to letters from MPs and members of the House of Lords, managing to answer 53% of queries within its target of 15 days.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs achieved its 15 day target in 75% of replies to 10,968 letters, while the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills managed an 84% response to 10,274 letters within its 15 day target.
The Report covers more than 50 Government departments and non-departmental agencies.
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