To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many staff in his Department (a) were disciplined and (b) had their employment terminated as a result of a poor sickness record in each of the last 12 months. (262232)

Formal warning and dismissals for poor attendance are conducted in line with DEFRA’s “Unsatisfactory Attendance Policy and Procedures” which are available to staff via DEFRA’s intranet.

During the past year (April 2008 to March 2009) 74 people have been disciplined and contracts with eight terminated as a result of poor sickness record within core DEFRA and its agencies.

The following table breaks this down for each of the past 12 months.