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Northern Ireland Office: Bonuses

Answer

The Northern Ireland Office currently operates three types of bonus scheme: A non-consolidated bonus scheme for Senior Civil Service (SCS) staff; A non-consolidated bonus scheme for staff below the SCS; and a non-consolidated special bonus scheme. Non-consolidated bonuses were introduced as they are non-pensionable, result in no additional future pension liability, and reward staff for performance in a particular year rather than being consolidated into their pay for future years. In relation to SCS staff, the Government decided in 2002 that a non-consolidated bonus scheme should be phased in, on the basis of recommendations from the Senior Salaries Review Body (SSRB). This scheme is an integral part of all Whitehall and Northern Ireland government departments’ pay arrangements for their SCS employees. Recommendations are made in successive annual SSRB reports, to which the Government respond. In 2002, the bonus pot was introduced at 2.3 per cent of the overall SCS paybill. It has increased in subsequent years and in 2008 is 8.6 per cent. In 2004 the NIO introduced a non-consolidated bonus scheme for staff below SCS, in line with broader government policy. The amount allocated was 0.54 per cent of overall paybill for staff below SCS and it has remained at this level. In 1989, a non-consolidated special bonus scheme was introduced for all staff with an allocation equalling 0.1 per cent of the overall paybill. The bonus pot increased in subsequent years. Since 1996 it has been 0.4 per cent of overall paybill. The scheme was introduced to reward individual contributions during the year which were considered to be particularly meritorious. Such schemes are common in government departments.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

5120; 703 c426-7WA

Session

2007-08

Notes

Answer received between Tuesday 23 September and Monday 29 September 2008

Subjects

Civil servants Incentives Performance related pay Northern Ireland Office

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk