Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the biggest pay rise given to someone in his Department was in (a) percentage and (b) cash terms in the last 12 months.

Defra follows the pay remit guidance set by HM Treasury for staff at delegated grades and Cabinet Office for Senior Civil Servants. For the most recent pay reviews, this meant that Defra implemented average pay awards within the 2.5% limit for delegated grades and 2% for Senior Civil Servants, as set out in the guidance.

The biggest pay rise given to someone in Core Defra in the last 12 months in percentage terms was 68.5%.

The biggest pay rise given to someone in Core Defra in the last 12 months in cash terms was £22,000.

These pay rises are the result of promotions to new roles with greater responsibilities and accountability.