HC Deb 14 May 2003 vol 405 cc263-4W
Mr. Brazier

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what performance incentive schemes exist for civil servants in her Department. [112452]

Alun Michael

Currently three schemes operate within Defra.i) In February this year a Special Bonus Scheme, applicable to individuals and teams, was introduced to recognise special achievement and contributions beyond normal job requirements. Payments are one-off and not consolidated. ii) Staff who, in their appraisal for the period 2003–04, are recognised as consistently exceeding performance requirements will receive one off non-consolidated bonuses in 2004. iii) In accordance with senior Civil Service pay arrangements which are not delegated to Departments, all Senior Civil service pay in Defra is performance related including the rate of progression through the pay range. Under these centralised arrangements, Defra is also able to award non-consolidated performance bonuses for delivery of key priorities.