To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when his Department’s year ends for the purpose of assessing staff performance; and when staff receive performance bonuses. (172126)

The performance year for the Department for Work and Pensions runs from 1 April to 31 March for all grades including the senior civil service.

Performance bonuses are one element of the annual pay award, which is effective from 1 July. This year, owing to protracted pay negotiations with trade unions, performance bonuses were paid with the pay award in November.

Senior civil service bonuses are usually paid in July in DWP, but this year they were paid in November in line with Cabinet Office instruction.