Pay and benefits

Pay and benefits

Salary

Starting salaries for successful candidates who are new to the civil service will normally be at the minimum of the pay scale, although a higher starting salary may be negotiated for candidates with exceptional skills, knowledge or experience.

Pension scheme

The civil service offers excellent pension arrangements. This is an important part of the reward package.

For detailed information, booklets are available via the Civil Service Pensions website.

Lifestyle options

We recognise that whatever job you do at whatever level, you need to strike a balance between your work and home life – whether you are a parent, a carer or you wish to pursue a leisure interest. We have developed a range of policies, many of which go beyond our legal obligation as an employer, to help you do just that.

Flexible working

Our staff have the right to request alternative work patterns, e.g. part-time or compressed hours. The technology is in place to allow staff to work from home and there is flexibility to the amount of time spent in the office.

Career breaks

We will consider requests for career breaks, dependent on our operational needs.

Annual leave and public holidays

On appointment you will be entitled to 25 days paid annual leave, which increases to 30 days after two years service. Existing civil servants with more than two years’ service are automatically entitled to 30 days paid annual leave. In addition, there are 10.5 days public and privilege holidays per year.

Senior Civil Servants (SCS)are entitled to 25 days’ annual leave per annum (pro rata) rising to 30 on a sliding scale over 5 years. You also will receive 8 days’ public holidays, plus 1 day privilege holiday (pro rata). Please note the dates vary in England, Wales and Scotland.

Season ticket loan/cycle to work scheme

On joining us, you may apply for an annual, interest-free, season ticket loan, or a bicycle loan.

Other benefits include:

  • outstanding work surroundings in London (Canary Wharf) or Glasgow city centre
  • easy access to major transport links