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Written question asked by Charlie Dewhirst (Conservative) on Tuesday, 14 July 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 16 July 2026. It was answered by Stephen Morgan (Labour) on Monday, 17 August 2026 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.


Permanent Secretaries: Secondment

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for what reason the Second Permanent Secretary has been seconded to the Blavatnik School of Government; and whether the Civil Service is funding his salary.

Answer

The secondment to the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford forms part of the Civil Service's commitment to promoting the exchange of skills, knowledge and experience between government and external organisations. As is standard for secondments, Defra continues to pay the Second Permanent Secretary’s salary and Defra is being reimbursed by Oxford University for his role there.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
18827
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Civil service Finance Pay Secondment Permanent secretaries Blavatnik School of Government
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk