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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much time off in lieu has been taken by staff in his Department in each of the last five years.

Information relating to time taken off in lieu by staff is not held centrally and to obtain it would incur disproportionate costs.

Defra is committed to the wellbeing of its people and offers a flexible working policy. Employees at grades AA through to grade 6 may operate using flexi time. This allows employees to accumulate credit for time worked beyond their contracted hours. Credited hours may then be taken at a later date, subject to business need. Staff are permitted to build up and carry over 3 days each 4 week period.