Senior digital, data and technology (DDaT) officials in the Civil Service are among its highest paid but also most prone to leave for other sectors, according to a new Whitehall review.
The evidence has emerged in the latest annual report by the Review Body on Senior Salaries, along with an expression of concern over the salary outlook for Senior Civil Service (SCS) levels in general.
According to Cabinet Office figures, the median DDaT salary at SCS1 level was £85,000 in 2022, second only to security with £85,100. Up at SCS2 level the figure was £128,600, again second, this time to commercial with £133,500.
Some DDAT officials have also benefited from pivotal role allowances (PRAs) for those delivering critical programmes or implementing the Government’s priorities, accounting for 28% of the total.
Figures on the turnover of DDaT staff at SCS level over 2020-21 were at 18.7% for moving to external roles, higher than for any other sector except for medical. The figure for internal moves was one of the lowest at 5.3%, and combined they make the sector the eighth highest of 21.
Private sector pressure
While the report does not make comparisons with private sector pay in DDaT, it highlights the issue of SCS pay against similar roles outside the Civil Service, and notes the new data shows an increase in the turnover rate from 10.7% to 12.4%.
It notes that the increase in size of the SCS has been met largely through internal promotions and that this is not in line with Government policy of increasing external hires.
“Pay for SCS is well below the private sector for comparable positions, and the attractiveness of the roles and the overall package are relied upon to support recruitment and retention,” the reports says. “The Civil Service Commission noted its concern that the proportion of good candidates applying for senior roles had been falling.”
