§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the retirement ages that apply to the employees of her Department and its agencies, including how many and which categories of employees are affected by each; and if she will make a statement on her Department's policy on flexible retirement. [32823]
§ Clare ShortAll permanent and pensionable staff of DFID (1,596 staff) have a normal retirement age of 60. This is occasionally extended where there are particular business reasons to retain an officer's services beyond that age. In addition there are two groups of fixed term employees, Corps of Specialists (29 staff) and Technical Co-operation Officers (295 staff), who similarly have a normal retirement age of 60 which may occasionally be extended where there are particular business reasons. Staff appointed in country by DFID's offices (818 staff) are subject to a wide variety of retirement ages depending on local labour market practice or local legislation (the details are not currently held centrally and could not be produced except at disproportionate cost).
My Department is currently reviewing its policy on flexible retirement.