£1.5 million bonuses for government workers

Bonuses for government workers have cost the taxpayer almost £1.5 million over the past five years.

The information was given by Chief Minister Allan Bell in a written reply to a question in the House of Keys.

Onchan MHK Zac Hall wanted to know about bonuses paid to civil servants and other government staff, including sponsored organisations.

He also wanted to know how many were given Treasury approval – but was told almost all bonuses fall under workers’ terms and conditions and so don’t need any involvement from Treasury.

Mr Bell said some government workers in department, boards and offices are given lump sums to either reflect or incentivise their performance.

In 2009 and 2010, well over £300,000 was paid out – but that figure has fallen over the past three years to around a quarter of a million pounds annually.

In his answer, Mr Bell says there has only been one request to Treasury to pay a bonus in the last five years; that happened in 2011 and was approved by officials.

And although he doesn’t say which workers are given bonuses, he does say civil servants can’t be paid them under Civil Service Regulations.