The available information is as follows:
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) runs a special bonus scheme, which aims to reward exceptional individual or team performance. The following data were extracted from the CPS payroll system, which was introduced in October 2004. The CPS cannot provide information prior to 2004 without incurring disproportionate cost.
Between October 2004 and December 2007, a total of £2,650 was paid to press and communication officers, grades A to E:
In 2004—no bonuses were paid;
In 2005—one bonus of £500 was paid;
In 2006—three bonuses were paid of which the lowest was £200 and the highest was £250; and
In 2007—three bonuses were paid of which the lowest was £200 and the highest £1,000.
The Serious Fraud Office rewarded individual press and communication officers as follows:
Total Lowest Highest 2002 500 100 400 2003 25 25 25 2004 75 25 25 2005 25 25 25 2006 0 — — 2007 50 50 50
These awards are made for instant, merit and annual bonuses. Earlier information cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.
In the Treasury Solicitor’s Department, (TSol) staffing records relating to job titles and job descriptions (rather than grade) have only become available since April 2007, since the introduction of a Human Resources Database. Therefore, no information before this date can be provided.
Currently, there are three posts in the Attorney-General’s Office (AGO) press office team (which also performs press office functions on behalf of TSol), two of which are filled by temporary staff. As with other permanent staff, the permanent press office team are eligible to receive bonuses as part of annual performance pay arrangements, with the amounts varying depending on level of performance. For 2007, the bonus amounts in TSol were £200 or £500.
In her Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate and the Revenue and Customs Prosecution Office, no bonuses have been paid.