DWP spent £6,299 on one chair
By Ned Simons - 7th September 2010
The Department for Work and Pensions spent £3m on chairs between 2007 and today, the most expensive of which cost £6,299 alone.
Figures published today by the department reveal that in 2007 an "EMOVE2-65 Motorised Office Chair 65" was bought at a cost of £6,299.
2007 was the most expensive year for chairs, with the department spending £1,036,159. It spent a further £619,685 in 2008, £773,970 in 2009 and has shelled out £575,201 to date this year.
According to the department "the majority" of the five most expensive chairs purchased in this period have been provided for disabled staff.
These are:
1. EMOVE2-65 Motorised Office Chair 65
2. INVACARE PRONTO electric wheelchair
3. B2503/Back Rest/A/SFB/NB Back Post/Special Chair
4. BodyBilt Specialist Chair-BodyBilt J2504/A/SS/4Arm/G1 Liberty Blue
5. BodyBilt Chair-BodyBilt J2504/A/SS/4Arm/JCP Blue
The sums were revealed following a parliamentary question from Lib Dem MP Mike Hancock who asked each department a series of similar questions before the summer recess.
The Scotland Office, who also were posed the question, does not separately record the purchase of chairs.
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd