Former top civil servant received near-£860,000 pay-off
Former cabinet secretary Lord Wormald received a record £860,000 severance package after leaving his role by mutual agreement following performance concerns. The payment, authorized by Sir Keir Starmer, covers contractual obligations, pension adjustments, and a mandatory waiting period.
Why it matters
The significant taxpayer-funded payout to a high-level official raises questions about government accountability and the financial implications of leadership turnover in the UK civil service.
Image source, PA Media By Joe Pike , Political correspondent and Richard Wheeler , Political reporter Published 21 minutes ago A former top civil servant received a record pay-off of nearly £860,000 after he was forced out of his job by Sir Keir Starmer, just 14 months after the then-prime minister appointed him.
Lord Wormald left his role as cabinet secretary and head of the Civil Service in February by "mutual agreement" following months of media reports suggesting Downing Street was unhappy with his performance.
The Cabinet Office's accounts , external show there was "contractual compensation" of £332,897 and "additional severance" of £526,598.
The BBC understands the size of the pay-off was partly to cover Lord Wormald's pension contributions as his removal from office essentially cut his civil service career short.
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