Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the total cost the public purse of severance pay awarded to members of the Government leaving ministerial posts since 1 July 2022.

The Ministerial and other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991 sets out the detail and circumstances under which former Ministers are eligible for a severance payment. A Minister leaving office, who is below the age of 65 and who is not otherwise reappointed to a Ministerial position within 3 weeks of their last day of service, is eligible for a severance payment of 25% of their annual claimed salary at the time at which they ceased to hold office.