Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the largest off-payroll engagement per day payment was in his Department in each financial year since 2019-20.

The majority of off payroll engagements within the Department are short term in nature. Typically, engagements of one day are the highest daily pay engagements the Department procures. One day engagements are for speakers or lecturers at key presentations or training events.

For the year ending 31 March 2023 an individual was paid £7,500 to lead and run a “How Defence Learns” senior staff event arranged by UK Strategic Command. This presentation was filmed and remains a permanent training resource in the Department.

For the year ending 31 March 2022, the highest paid one day engagement was £4,500; for the year ending 31 March 2021 it was £1,865; and for the year ending 31 March 2020 it was £1,844.