Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Oral Answers to Questions

Mary Glindon Excerpts
Monday 20th February 2012

(12 years, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Robathan Portrait Mr Robathan
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It should happen speedily. The problem is that this is a responsibility across Government and led, I believe, by the Cabinet Office. We want it announced swiftly and we want it to take place swiftly so that we can understand the rules. I am sorry that I can only give this answer, but I think that everyone will be glad to know that I am not responsible for it.

Mary Glindon Portrait Mrs Mary Glindon (North Tyneside) (Lab)
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When members of the armed forces are facing a two-year pay freeze and 20,000 are losing their jobs, how can the Secretary of State justify bonuses, some of five figures, to senior officers in the MOD civil service?

Lord Hammond of Runnymede Portrait Mr Philip Hammond
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I think we have covered this one already. The arrangements for performance-related pay were put in place by the previous Government and were a decision taken by them with which I concurred entirely. It is the right way to incentivise senior civil servants. By paying non-consolidated performance-related pay, we reduce the total cost to the Department. The scheme was introduced in lieu of pay increases.