Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many departmental Senior Civil Service away days have taken place in calendar year 2026 to date; in what specific venues; at what cost; and if there was any associated social or team-building activity at public expense.

Two departmental Senior Civil Service away days took place in this period:

Executive Management Team awayday – 20 January 2026 – British Museum, Great Russell Street. An external facilitator was commissioned to facilitate the day at a cost of £8,282.91 excluding VAT.

The external facilitator was commissioned to design and deliver the away day. Drawing on specialist expertise in working with senior executive teams, the facilitators supported leadership alignment, collective consideration of organisational priorities and the effective delivery of the event.

Senior Civil Service awayday – 24 March 2026 – 1 Saint Giles High Street, London, WC2H 8AG. An external facilitator was commissioned to facilitate the day at a cost of £16,932 excluding VAT.

The external facilitator was commissioned to design and deliver away day, attended by 150 civil servants from across all Senior Civil Service grades. Drawing on specialist expertise in leadership development and organisational change, the facilitator supported leadership alignment, organisational priorities and the effective delivery of the event. Using an external facilitator provided independent challenge and enabled senior participants to focus fully on the discussion and agreed outcomes.

No taxpayer funded social or team building activities took place at either away day.