MoD spends £6.6m on mobile phones

The Ministry of Defence spent £6.6m on mobile phones and contract charges for ministers, members of the armed forces and civil servants last year.

In a parliamentary written statement the Defence Minister Andrew Robathan said more than 45,000 phones had been issued to staff.

"Official mobile communication devices are provided for the conduct of business in a similar way to desk-based telephones, a computer or a laptop. Technology-enabled mobile working helps increase our efficiency, support flexible working patterns and drive down administrative costs," he said.

Of seven department ministers questioned, the Department of Health was found to be the biggest spender on mobile communications for department officials alone, totalling £738m last year. This averaged £424 per user, the second highest cost per head.

The Scotland Office was found to have the highest average user cost of £472 for its 27 officials issued with devices, while department of Communities and Local Government had the lowest spend per head of £158 each user.

Total mobile phone spend per department:

MoD

Total - £6.6m

Average user spend - £145

Department of Health

Total -£738, 301

Average user spend - £424

Department for Transport

Total - £300,246

Average user spend - £203

The Department for International Development

Total - £222,789

Average user spend - £306

Department for Communities and Local Government

Total - £113,000

Average user spend - £155.8

Northern Ireland Office

Total £13,957

Average user spend - £268

Scotland Office

Total - £12,757

Average user spend - £472