FOI release

FOI2026/00632: In-Year Reward and Recognition Statistics

This request was refused in part, so we didn't provide some of the information the requester asked for. This may include information where we can neither confirm nor deny that we hold it.

Case reference FOI2026/00632

Received 25 July 2026

Published 5 October 2026

Request

Request Received: 25 July 2026

I request the following information. Where a full response would exceed the cost limit, I ask that you advise which elements can be provided within it and prioritise items 1–4.

For the 2025-2026 financial year:

1) The total value of your department's non-consolidated performance pay pot (the non-consolidated pay remit).

2) The amount and the proportion (%) of that pot allocated to (a) in-year Reward and Recognition scheme (also sometimes known as discretionary recognition awards) and (b) end-of-year Performance Related Payments (PRP).

3) For R&R and for PRP separately: the total number of awards made, total expenditure, and the mean and median award value.

4) The figures in items 2 and 3 broken down by grade.

5) The figures in items 2 and 3 broken down by directorate / business area.

6) The figures in items 2 and 3 broken down by the protected characteristics if recorded (e.g. sex, age band, ethnicity, disability status).

7) Copies of the policy, guidance, and eligibility or assessment criteria governing R&R awards and PRP awards, including any changes to those criteria over the period.

8) Any internal analysis, board or committee papers, or Equality Impact Assessment concerning the allocation of funds between PRP and R&R, or the equality implications of either scheme.

Please treat each numbered item as a separable element.

Response

Response Sent: 5 October 2026

Full details of this request are available in the attached documents.

Documents

• FOI2026_00632 - Annex 1.xlsx (26.2 KB)
• FOI_Response_Letter - FOI2026_00632_Redacted.pdf (320.7 KB)
• In Year Award Guidance 2025-26.pdf (365.5 KB)
• Instant and In Year Award Staff FAQ 2025-26.pdf (175.1 KB)
• Instant Recognition Award Guidance 2025-26.pdf (403.6 KB)
• UKRI End of Year Awards FAQs 2025-26_Redacted.pdf (182.2 KB)
• UKRI Instant In Year Scheme Guidance.pdf (217.4 KB)
• V 2.1 Equality Impact Assessment Instant In Year policy.pdf (1.5 MB)

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