Reference: FOI-2024-1797

You asked

I am writing to request information under the freedom of information act regarding your organisation's workforce. Please can you complete the below questions:

  1. Is workforce planning* on the organisation's risk register?
  2. What is the name and job title of the risk owner/ person responsible for managing this risk?
  3. What is the name, job title and email address of the HR Director/ Chief People Officer?
  4. What is the name, job title and email address of the Workforce planning lead or person responsible for workforce planning?
  5. What software, if any, does the organisation use to support them with workforce planning?
  6. Please fill in the below based on the number of substantive and contracted workers the organisation employs? 
  • Number of Substantive Employees
  • Number of Contracted Employees
  • Total

Workforce Planning- is the process of analysing, forecasting, and planning workforce supply and demand

Substantive Employee - permanently appointed employee

Contracted Worker- someone who has an agreement with a company to work for them for a limited period of time

We said

Thank you for your recent request under the Freedom of Information Act.

Our Annual Report and Accounts 2022/23 describes our risk management approach. Our strategic risks are those that demonstrate the most significant risks to the successful delivery of the UKSA Strategy and its statutory objectives. Our strategic 'People' risk, as detailed in our Annual Report and Accounts 222/23, is:

"The risk that the UKSA is unable to attract, develop, retain and deploy individuals with the best analytical and professional skills; we are unable to build a diverse and inclusive pool of talent; we are unable to build a workforce that is agile and adaptable to change; and/or we are unable to enhance the sustainability and wellbeing of our workforce." 

You have asked for the name, job title and email address of various colleagues.  The information requested is personal data and therefore exempt from release under Section 40(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA). 

We do not use specific Workforce Planning software.  We analyse information about our workforce and our positions that is captured and held in our HR and Finance Management Information System. 

Our Annual Report and Accounts 2022/23 provided the following breakdown of our workforce as at 31 March 2023, which is the closest breakdown available against the definitions provided: 

  • Permanent employment contract: 5,707 

  • Fixed term employment contract: 421 

  • Paid secondment or loan in: 4 

  • Total: 6,132