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<p>The Department has reduced staffing costs from £218 million a year in 2009-10 to
£95 million in 2013-14. We have also completely overhauled and reformed the system
of bonuses, in turn, reducing spending from £1.3 million in financial year 2008-09
and £1.2 million in financial year 2009-10 (£1.0 million in performance year 2009-10)
to £440,000 in performance year 2013-14.</p><p> </p><p>For staff who are not Senior
Civil Service, this included replacing the Annual Performance Bonus Scheme and the
in-year Special Bonus Scheme, with an Exceptional Performance Scheme and in-year Instant
Voucher Reward Scheme. The latter is designed to enable managers to provide immediate
acknowledgment of exceptional performance for smaller scale achievements over a short
period of time. Vouchers are given in values of £10 to £50.</p><p> </p><p>The types
of work that may qualify for a nomination include:</p><p> </p><ul><li>identifying
and taking actions that results in cost savings and efficiencies;</li><li>stepping
in to support colleagues at short notice to deliver business goals;</li><li>delivering
high quality work ahead of agreed timescales;</li><li>exceeding the expectations of
colleagues or customers;</li><li>displaying exemplary behaviour which reflects DCLG’s
values;</li><li>receiving outstanding feedback from colleagues or external customers.</li></ul><p>
</p><p>From the scheme’s launch in June 2013 to December 2013, 360 staff received
a reward with an average payment of £34. From January 2014 to September 2014, 285
staff received a reward with an average payment of £30.</p><p> </p><p>I am unsure
of whether the hon. Member wishes to disparage such small-scale bonuses because they
may involve giving out shopping vouchers, yet we believe that they are a cost-effective
way of improving staff performance within Whitehall and delivering a better service
to the public.</p><p> </p><p>Indeed, the vouchers given for saving taxpayers’ money
have delivered at least £40,000 of quantifiable savings and further efficiency improvements
on top. Under the Labour Government, the state congratulated those that regulated
more, spent more and taxed more. We want to reward those who regulate less, spend
less and tax less.</p><p> </p><p>I would hope the hon. Member, as a Co-operative Party
MP, supports the underlying principles of staff involvement, economic participation
and self-improvement which we are embracing.</p><p> </p>
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