To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much was paid in (a) year end and (b) in-year bonuses to officials of his Department in each of the last three years.

Non consolidated performance awards are paid to reward excellence and are given to no more than 25% of staff each year based on the relative assessment of performance against objectives throughout the reporting year. The awards are not pensionable and the values for each grade are set centrally and agreed by the Secretary of State as part of the annual pay remit.

The Special Bonus Scheme (SBS) is discretionary and there is no limit on the number of people that can receive a cash award provided the award is approved within the policy, rules and guidance governing the SBS. Special Bonuses are not pensionable and are awarded for exceptional performance in a specific task or for the achievement of a professional qualification that benefits the Ministry of Defence and the individual. A Special Bonus can be awarded at any time. Awards vary in value with the maximum single payment being £2,000.

The following table shows how much the Department has paid out in year-end performance awards and the SBS in each of the last four financial years to staff below the Senior Civil Service.

The following table details the combined total value of payments made to staff below the Senior Civil Service by way of non consolidated performance awards and SBS awards for financial years 2008-09 to 2010-11.