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

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether (1) the number, and (2) the cost, of (a) those directly employed by, and (b) those hired as consultants by, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to work on matters related to Brexit, has increased since the Brexit referendum; and if so, by how much.

Over 80% of Defra’s agenda is affected by the UK leaving the European Union and, as a result, many roles across the Defra group are now supporting related work, either directly or indirectly. Therefore, it is difficult to put an exact figure on the cost of work to prepare for exiting the EU. Discussions are continuing with HMT to secure additional funding and the amounts will be confirmed in the Supplementary Estimate when laid before Parliament.

As of 30th November Defra has recruited around 800 additional staff (including fixed term appointments and interims) to support our comprehensive programme of work for the UK’s departure from the EU, of whom around 650 have already taken up post with the remainder progressing through our pre-appointment processes.

We continue to keep our resourcing plans under review, focusing both on recruitment and increasing the capability of new and existing staff.