Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether civil servants are allowed to use paid working hours to participate in staff networks.

Most participation in Ministry of Justice Staff Network activity is expected to take place within employees’ own time.

Some volunteers undertaking agreed staff network leadership roles or to carry out agreed activity requested by the Department may have an agreed time allocation to support delivery.

This must be agreed in advance with the individual’s line manager and the planned activity must align to our objectives and deliver benefits to the Department. Such arrangements are subject to departmental policy, managerial agreement and operational requirements.