To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many staff in his Department received bonus payments in 2007; what proportion of the total workforce they represented; what the total amount of bonuses paid was; what the largest single payment has been; and if he will make a statement. (143104)

The following table shows details of bonuses awarded to staff in core-DEFRA and those Agencies covered by the core-Department’s reward arrangements in 2007 i.e. Animal Health, Pesticides Safety Directorate, Veterinary Medicines Directorate, Marine Fisheries Agency and Government Decontamination Services.

However, these figures represent In-Year Performance bonuses only, paid to staff at Grade 6 and below.

Payment of annual performance bonuses to staff in and below the SCS for 2007 have still to be finalised.

Separate performance bonus arrangements operate for staff in the SCS and those at Grade 6 and below.

For the SCS

Non-consolidated cash payments, otherwise known as bonuses, reward in-year performances in relation to agreed objectives, or short term personal contribution to wider organisational objectives. Bonuses are paid in addition to base pay increases and do not count towards pension.

Bonuses are allocated by departments from a ‘pot’ expressed as a percentage of the SCS salary bill, which is agreed centrally each year following the SSRB recommendations. The intention is that bonus decisions should be differentiated in order to recognise the most significant deliverers of in-year performance.

For Staff at Grade 6 and below

The High Performance Bonus Awards scheme introduced in April 2005, provide staff in DEFRA and those Agencies covered by the core-Department’s reward arrangements, with recognition and reward for delivery of an outstanding outcome or performance that significantly exceeds normal expectations. The process should provide staff at all grades with an opportunity to earn a bonus, and ensure that achievements in operational, policy and corporate services areas are recognised as being of equal esteem.

There are two types of award:

In-Year High Performance bonuses paid to individuals or teams in recognition of one-off achievements during the year; and

Annual High Performance bonuses which are paid to the top 10 per cent. of performers in each DG for delivery of an outstanding outcome or performance sustained throughout the whole year.