Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government why the severance payment to the former Cabinet Secretary Sir Chris Wormald required a Ministerial Direction but the severance payment to his predecessor Lord Case did not; and whether this was due to the amount paid.

Details of any payments made to the previous Cabinet Secretary will be published in the Cabinet Office Annual report and Accounts for 2025-26.

The necessary approvals were given for payments made to Sir Chris Wormald and Lord Case, as set out in the Guidance on Public Sector Exit Payments.