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Written question asked by Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 18 May 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 2 June 2026. It was answered by Baroness Merron (Labour) on Thursday, 2 July 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.


NHS South Yorkshire: Redundancy Pay

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government how the Department of Health and Social Care ensures compliance with Treasury guidance on public sector exit payments and value for money protocols if the department does not assess whether interim chief executive post cover at South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board performed the same statutory duties as a redundant role.

Answer

Contractual National Health Service redundancy payments are managed through local governance arrangements, in line with the relevant contractual terms and conditions, including Agenda for Change, where applicable, and with the employer’s internal approval, accountability, and value for money processes. In general, additional departmental or HM Treasury approval is associated with non-contractual or exceptional payments, such as special severance payments, rather than standard contractual redundancy payments.

NHS England has advised that, in the South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), this was treated as a contractual compulsory redundancy case within a wider restructuring context and was considered in the context of wider changes affecting ICB Chief Executive arrangements. NHS England has further advised that approval of the redundancy payment was given on the basis that it would avoid the need for further redundancies, either through redeployment or new leadership arrangements.

The Department does not centrally reassess individual local post structures, including whether interim cover performed the same statutory duties as an earlier role.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL232
Session
2026-27
Related items
NHS: Redundancy Pay
Friday, 17 July 2026
Written questions
House of Lords
NHS South Yorkshire: Redundancy Pay
Wednesday, 22 July 2026
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects
Redundancy pay Managers NHS South Yorkshire
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk