Written question asked by Lord Hammond of Runnymede (Conservative) on Thursday, 22 November 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 27 November 2007. It was answered by Jane Kennedy (Labour) on Monday, 10 December 2007 on behalf of the Treasury.

Child Benefit Agency: Pay

Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff in the IT department at the Child Benefit Agency received bonuses in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and how much was paid out in such bonuses in total.

Answer: [holding answer 27 November 2007]: The Child Benefit Office is one of a number of HMRC business units responsible for delivering child benefit. 18 HMRC staff work in IT support for child benefit IT systems. The director of Information Management Systems recognises exceptional performance through a recognition bonus scheme.Due to the small size of the IT team that supports child benefit IT systems it may be possible to identify individuals from this information and consequently it is not appropriate to say whether and how many bonuses were paid during the last 12 month period for which figures are available.

Secondary information