Neil O'Brien MP: written questions 2025

425 published records · newest first.

Written questions

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero: Redundancy PayDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 8 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 97903More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the total cost was of (a) settlement agreements and (b) special severance payments made to departing staff in the last year.
Answer: For the last financial year, the total cost to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) of payments associated with settlement agreements and special severance payments was £60,000.
Answered 16 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero: Performance AppraisalDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 8 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 97901More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many and what proportion of staff in each grade were rated in the top performance category in the last year.
Answer: The table below summarises numbers and proportion of DESNZ staff in the top performance category for the most recent performance year as reported at end March 2025: GradeNumberPercentageAO514%EO2510%HEO9913%SEO19213%G728516%G611921%SCS12515%SCS2614%Any sa...
Answered 16 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero: Career DevelopmentDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 8 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 97900More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many and what proportion of staff were promoted (a) in-grade and (b) to a higher grade in the last year broken down by (i) performance marking in the previous year and (ii) grade.
Answer: The Department or Energy Security and Net Zero does not promote in-grade. Performance markings are not held centrally. Table 1 Grade (No. and %) between April 2024 and March 2025 GradeNo. Promoted% of those still in dept who were promotedAO 0.0%EO3117%HEO...
Answered 16 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero: Sick LeaveDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 8 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 97899More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the average number of working days lost to sickness absence per full-time equivalent member of staff was in (a) the Department and (b) its executive agencies in the last year; and how ma
Answer: The current AWDL for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is 3.8. The department does not have any Arms length’s bodies that are requested to submit AWDL figures. The requested data is not held centrally in a reportable format.
Answered 16 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Disciplinary ProceedingsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 4 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 97206More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many disciplinary cases were concluded against civil servants in (a) the Department and (b) its agencies broken down by (i) outcome and (ii) whether the primary allegation related
Answer: In the last 12 months the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs concluded 51 disciplinary cases. All 51 disciplinary cases were conduct related and not performance related. Outcomes from these cases were: DismissalFinal written warningInforma...
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Redundancy PayDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 4 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 97205More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the total cost was of (a) settlement agreements and (b) special severance payments made to departing staff in the last year.
Answer: For the last financial year, the total cost to Defra of payments associated with settlement agreements is set out in pg. 167 of Annual Report and Accounts. Where relevant, this includes special severance payments that have associated settlement agreements...
Answered 23 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Performance AppraisalDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 4 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 97203More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many and what proportion of staff in each grade were rated in the top performance category in the last year.
Answer: In core Defra, high performance substantive senior civil servants are those with an end-year performance rating of “Exceeded”. The headcount and proportion of each grade for those employed during the period November 2024 – October 2025 were: Grade*Number ...
Answered 6 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Career DevelopmentDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 4 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 97202More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many and what proportion of staff were promoted (a) in-grade and (b) to a higher grade in the last year broken down by (i) performance marking in the previous year and (ii) grade.
Answer: With regards to a) the in-grade promotions: We are unclear how “in-grade promotion” should be defined in relation to the data we do hold. Information on b) promotions to a higher grade is not held centrally. In particular, the information held centrally o...
Answered 7 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Sick LeaveDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 4 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 97200More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the average number of working days lost to sickness absence per full-time equivalent member of staff was in (a) her Department and (b) its executive agencies in the last year; and
Answer: In relation to the average number of working days lost to sickness absence, as of year ending 31 October 2025, Defra can confirm the following: Department/AgencyAverage Working Days Lost Core Defra4.4APHA5.7RPA7.6VMD2.4Cefas3.83 The Cabinet Office publish...
Answered 17 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
Home Office: Disciplinary ProceedingsHome OfficeTabled 4 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 97197More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in the past twelve months, how many disciplinary cases were concluded against civil servants in (a) her Department and (b) its agencies broken down by (i) outcome and (ii) whether the primary allegati
Answer: Please find table below outlining disciplinary cases by performance and conduct. Discipline Outcome HeadcountPerformance Dismissal - Poor Performance20Dismissal - Probation50Conduct Dismissals with leaving reason containing Gross Misconduct132Final Writte...
Answered 5 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Home Office: Redundancy PayHome OfficeTabled 4 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 97195More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the total cost was of (a) settlement agreements and (b) special severance payments made to departing staff in her Department in the last year.
Answer: The Home Office does not publish specific information on settlement agreements and special severance payments for departing staff.The Home Office does publish the overall payments made to staff exiting the department each year and this is outlined in the ...
Answered 5 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Home Office: Performance AppraisalHome OfficeTabled 4 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 97194More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many and what proportion of staff in each grade in her Department were rated in the top performance category in the last year.
Answer: The Home Office introduced a no-rating performance management system for delegated grades in 2021 in line with external good practice. Therefore, the department cannot compare progression with performance markings / categories.The performance management f...
Answered 5 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Home Office: Career DevelopmentHome OfficeTabled 4 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 97193More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many and what proportion of staff in her Department were promoted (a) in-grade and (b) to a higher grade in the last year broken down by (i) performance marking in the previous year and (ii) grade
Answer: The Home Office introduced a no-rating performance management system for delegated grades in 2021 in line with external good practice. Therefore, the department cannot compare progression with performance markings / categories.For the SCS grade please see...
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Home Office: Sick LeaveHome OfficeTabled 4 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 97191More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the average number of working days lost to sickness absence per full-time equivalent member of staff was in (a) the Department and (b) its executive agencies in the last year; and how many formal
Answer: The current Average Working Days Lost (AWDL) is 8.12. Regarding the number of performance warnings issued to staff, this can only be obtained through disproportionate effort.
Answered 5 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Department for Business and Trade: Disciplinary ProceedingsDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 3 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 96810More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many disciplinary cases were concluded against civil servants in (a) the Department and (b) its agencies by (i) outcome and (ii) whether the primary allegation related to (A) performance and (B) co
Answer: The number of cases concluded against civil servants within the Department for Business and Trade in the previous year 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 are as below. Core DBT: PerformanceTimeframeTotal NumberNo Action / Informal ActionWarningResignationDismi...
Answered 12 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
Department for Business and Trade: Redundancy PayDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 3 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 96809More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what the total cost was of (a) settlement agreements and (b) special severance payments made to departing staff in the last year.
Answer: For the last financial year, the total cost to the Department of Business and Trade of payments associated with settlement agreements is set out in Annual Report and Accounts. Where relevant, this includes special severance payments that have associated s...
Answered 16 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
Department for Business and Trade: Career DevelopmentDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 3 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 96808More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many and what proportion of staff in each grade were rated in the top performance category in the last year.
Answer: The information provided below relates to the recorded ratings on the Department’s HR information system for the period of 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025, in line with the Department’s performance cycle.Delegated grades within the Department have two p...
Answered 12 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
Department for Business and Trade: Career DevelopmentDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 3 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 96807More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many and what proportion of staff were promoted (a) in-grade and (b) to a higher grade in the last year broken down by (i) performance marking in the previous year and (ii) grade.
Answer: As of 31 March 2025, a total of 576 civil servants, representing approximately 9.7% of those on the payroll, were promoted to higher grades during the previous year. The table below provides a breakdown of these promotions by performance marking (as of 31...
Answered 12 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
Department for Business and Trade: Sick LeaveDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 3 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 96806More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what the average number of working days lost to sickness absence per full-time equivalent member of staff was in (a) the Department and (b) its executive agencies in the last year; and how many formal
Answer: A) The table shows the average number of working days lost (AWDL) to sickness absence per staff in DBT and its executive agencies in the last year (between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025) OrganisationAWDLDepartment for Business and Trade3.58 daysExecutive...
Answered 12 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
Department for Education: Disciplinary ProceedingsDepartment for EducationTabled 3 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 96805More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, in the past twelve months, how many disciplinary cases were concluded against civil servants in (a) her Department and (b) its agencies broken down by (i) outcome and (ii) whether the primary allegation related
Answer: The requested information is available in the table below: Disciplinary Cases ConcludedTotals Department of EducationAgencies32<5OutcomesAlternative role<5<5Dismissal<5<5Final Written<5<5Final Written - 24 months<5<5First Writte...
Answered 12 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
Department for Education: Redundancy PayDepartment for EducationTabled 3 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 96804More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the total cost was of (a) settlement agreements and (b) special severance payments made to departing staff in her Department in the last year.
Answer: For the last financial year, the total cost to the department of payments associated with settlement agreements is set out in annual report and accounts. Where relevant, this includes special severance payments that have associated settlement agreements.
Answered 15 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
Department for Education: Performance AppraisalDepartment for EducationTabled 3 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 96803More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of staff in her Department in each grade were rated in the top performance category in the last year.
Answer: The department does not currently operate a performance management system that includes ratings. However, it is in the process of introducing ratings for its Senior Civil Servants, with ratings for the 2025/26 performance year due to be determined in spri...
Answered 12 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
Department for Education: Career DevelopmentDepartment for EducationTabled 3 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 96802More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of staff in her Department were promoted (a) in-grade and (b) to a higher grade in the last year broken down by (i) performance marking in the previous year and (ii) grade.
Answer: The table below shows the grade breakdown and proportions of promotions to a higher grade (excluding temporary promotions) between November 2025 and October 2025. Please note: The promotion counts shown are based on internal departmental staff who were pr...
Answered 28 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Department for Education: Sick LeaveDepartment for EducationTabled 3 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 96801More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the average number of working days lost to sickness absence per full-time equivalent member of staff was in (a) the Department and (b) its executive agencies in the last year; and how many formal performan
Answer: Sickness absence data for the Civil Service, including departmental breakdowns, is published annually. The data is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/sickness-absence. The next update will be for the year ending 31 March 2025. In th...
Answered 12 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
Cultural Relations: ExpenditureDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 3 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 96739More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what the net expenditure of her Department was on projects related to cultural diplomacy in the last financial year.
Answer: DCMS works with a range of partners and ALBs to deliver on the Government’s cultural diplomacy and soft power objectives, including the FCDO, British Council, and GREAT Britain & Northern Ireland campaign. As such, the department’s direct spending on ...
Answered 9 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record

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