2009 press releases

18th June: Local MP calls for top civil servants to give up £10,000 bonuses

Lewes MP Norman Baker has today backed calls for leading civil servants to give up huge bonuses after research by the Lib Dems revealed that up to 75% of Senior Civil Servants are getting bonuses totalling £26m for 'exceptional performance'.

Norman Baker commented:

"It is appalling that so many leading public servants, with salaries averaging around £1,500 per week, are earning these bonuses while the country is in the midst of a recession.

"Pensioner couples on means tested benefits must live on less than a leading civil servant's weekly bonus. This is simply unacceptable.

"These bonuses are said to be for 'exceptional performance' but well over half the top civil servants in every department collect them, as do five out of six top diplomats.

"We need to drastically reduce the burden of civil servants' bonuses on the public purse. Permanent secretaries are giving up their £13,000 average bonuses this year because of the recession. All civil servants on £10,000 average bonuses should follow their lead."

Notes:

1. In 2008 - 2009, 2,600 senior civil servants working in Whitehall got a share of around £26m.
2. In Lord Mandelson's department - the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, three quarters of senior civil servants - that's 141 - have a shared bonus pot worth £1.21m. On average that means each of them get £8,582.
3. At the Department of Health, top civil servants have a share of £1,994,973 in bonuses.
4. At the Department of Transport, the pot is worth £1,173,040.
5. At Children and Schools senior civil servants get a share of £800,000.
6. At HM Treasury, the pot is worth £776,707.

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