Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's publication entitled MHCLG: workforce management information, May 2025, published on 27 June 2025, what the total cost of employer National Insurance contributions was in (a) 2023-24 and (b) 2024-25; and what the budgeted figure is for 2025-26.

With reference to the published workforce management information, Employers’ National Insurance costs for the Department are published monthly and reports covering 2023/24 and 2024/25 can be found here: MHCLG: workforce management information - GOV.UK

With regards to 2025/26, employer National Insurance costs are not separately budgeted for per financial year, as these form part of wider staffing budget assumptions. However, we estimate that the Department’s liability for employer National Insurance contributions will be approximately £26 million. Estimates for this period can vary, as pay awards for MHCLG staff for 2025/26 have not yet been confirmed. The final cost will be influenced by the outcome of these pay awards, as well as any in-year workforce changes.