Written questions by Bedford.

Innovation and Technology, how many departmental employees were on performance management plans in (a) 2023, (b) 2024 and (c) 2025.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is committed to thorough performance management and has in place robust processes to ensure that those who fall below the expected standards are supported to improve in a timely manner. To this end, there have been:Less than 10 employees have been placed on a formal performance improvement plan in 2023/24, 16 in 2024/25, and 17 in 2025/26.Those who cannot improve their performance, despite this additional support, may be dismissed.

Communities and Local Government, how many departmental employees were on performance management plans in (a) 2023, (b) 2024 and (c) 2025.

MHCLG is committed to thorough performance management and has in place robust processes to ensure that those who fall below the expected standards are supported to improve in a timely manner. To this end, there have been:70 employees who have been placed on a Development Support Plan between 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024, 110 between 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025, and 61 between 1st April 2025- 31st March 2026.Those who cannot improve their performance, despite this additional support, may be dismissed.

How many departmental employees were on performance management plans in (a) 2023, (b) 2024 and (c) 2025.

Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is committed to thorough performance management and has in place robust processes to ensure that those who fall below the expected standards are supported to improve in a timely manner. Those who cannot improve their performance, despite this additional support, may be dismissed.Following a Machinery of Government Change on 1st July 2023, the Department of International Trade (DIT) became the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), alongside parts of the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). As a result, DBT only holds information from 1st July 2023 onwards, with earlier data held by the former DIT. This response covers information held by DBT and UK Export Finance (UKEF), within these parameters.DBT employees placed on a Performance Management Plan:20 in 2023/24*, 27 in 2024/25, and 22 in 2025/26.*2023 refers to from July 2023 onwards at the start of the performance year. UKEF employees placed on a Performance Management Plan:Between 1 and 5 in 2023/24,Between 1 and 5 in 2024/25, andBetween 1 and 5 in 2025/26.

Food and Rural Affairs, what was the total value of non-contractual severance payments across the department in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for South Holland and The Deepings on 26 March 2026, PQ UIN 121696.

What was the total value of non-contractual severance payments across the department in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

The total value of severance payments is set out in the department’s Annual Report and Accounts, which are available for the last three years.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what was the total value of non-contractual severance payments across the department in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 19 March in response to Question 120757.

Media and Sport, what was the total value of non-contractual severance payments across the department in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

The total value of severance payments is set out in the department’s Annual Report and Accounts, which are available for the last three years.

What was the total value of non-contractual severance payments across the department in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

The Home Office does not publish details of the value of non-contractual severance payments separately.However, the Home Office does publish overall special payments spending on a financial year basis and details of this can be found through the links below.Pages 190-191 (pages 198-199 on the reader)Home Office Annual Report and Accounts 2024 to 2025Pages 190-191 (pages 194-195 on the reader)Home Office Annual Report and Accounts 2023 to 2024Pages195-196Home Office Annual Report and Accounts 2022-2023Page 136Home_Office_ARA_21-22_Final_-_Gov.uk.pdf

What was the total value of non-contractual severance payments across the department in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

The total value of non-contractual severance payments across the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) was £22,500 in 2023, £nil in 2024 and £60,000 in 2025.

Innovation and Technology, what was the total value of non-contractual severance payments across the department in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s first set of accounts were for 2023/24 where the expenditure on special severance payments was £99,390. Expenditure in subsequent years can be found in the relevant annual report and accounts.

What was the total value of non-contractual severance payments across the department in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

The total value of severance payments is set out in the department’s Annual Report and Accounts, which are available for the last three years.

What was the total value of non-contractual severance payments across the department in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

I refer the hon. Member for Mid Leicestershire to the answer of 7 April 2026 to Question 121697.

What was the total value of non-contractual severance payments across the department in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave the Rt Hon. Member for South Holland and The Deepings on 30 March 2026 to Question 121274.

What was the total value of non-contractual severance payments across the department in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

The total value of severance payments is set out in the department’s Annual Report and Accounts, which are available for the last three years.

What was the total value of non-contractual severance payments across the department in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

I refer the hon. Member to the response provided to Question 121694 on 25 March 2026 to the hon. Member for South Holland and The Deepings (Sir John Hayes). Figures for financial year 2025-26 will be published later this year in the Departmental Annual Report and Accounts.

If she will provide the latest data her department possesses on the asylum claim acceptance rate for cases that were decided by Home Office immigration caseworkers that are foreign nationals.

The information requested could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

If she will provide the latest data her department possesses on the asylum claim acceptance rate for cases that were decided by Home Office immigration caseworkers that are British nationals.

The information requested could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

What estimate her Department has made of the number of small boat migrants that will enter the UK in 2026.

The Home Office does not make a single estimate of this kind. A range of scenarios are considered for operational planning purposes.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of trends in the level of immigration since July 2024 on social cohesion in the UK.

The Home Office will increase existing English language requirements for economic migrants and introduce new English language requirements for dependants of those coming under economic routes.These measures support the integration of those coming here to work here (and their families) into UK communities, as well; as ensuring that those coming to work here are less vulnerable to abuse and exploitation in the workplace.

If she will make an assessment of the suitability of foreign nationals being employed as immigration caseworkers in her department.

The Civil Service Nationality Rules (CSNR), available on Gov.uk, govern eligibility for employment in the Civil Service on the grounds of nationality and must be followed by government departments. The CSNR allow for certain posts to be reserved for UK nationals only, which is considered where it is deemed necessary and in accordance with the published criteria. These rules have been in place since 2014.