To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much funding his Department has allocated for (a) year end and (b) in-year bonuses for its staff in 2009-10. (307021)

The pay bill for 2009-10 is estimated at £133 million, of which non-consolidated performance payments payable at end year represents £2.5 million. There are no in-year non-consolidated payments.

All employees are eligible for non-consolidated performance payments, subject to strict criteria in line with the Government's policy on public sector pay. Senior civil service non-consolidated payments are determined as part of a central performance management framework managed by the Cabinet Office. Payments for other grades are subject to the pay remit process and reflect previous pay settlements. Non-consolidated performance payments have to re-earn each year and do not add to future pay bill costs (e.g. pensions) and are an integral element of the reward package for staff.