​​Redundancy

​​Civil Service Compensation Scheme (CSCS)

​The Civil Service Compensation Scheme (CSCS) sets out the level of compensation that Departments can pay their staff if they leave under a voluntary or compulsory redundancy scheme.

​Key facts about CSCS:

Voluntary redundancy

  • Below normal pension age - staff will receive one month's pay per year of service up to a maximum of 21 months pay, and will be given three months' notice.
  • Above normal pension age - staff will receive one month's pay per year of service up to a maximum of 6 months pay.
  • Staff who have reached minimum pension age (either aged 50 or 55) can choose to opt for early retirement on their current pension benefits. Staff can opt to use some (or all) of their severance payment to buy out the early retirement reductions.

Pay thresholds

  • For the purpose of calculating their redundancy payments, staff earning less than £23,000 (FUll Time Equivalent) will be treated as if they earn £23,000, and staff will have their pay capped above an upper pay threshold of £149,820.

Compulsory redundancy

  • Below normal pension age - Staff will receive one months' pay per year of service up to a maximum of 12 months pay.
  • Above normal pension age - staff will receive one months’ pay per year of service up to a maximum of 6 months’ pay.
  • All staff who may face compulsory redundancy will first have had the opportunity to exit under voluntary terms.

The Civil Service Compensation Scheme (CSCS) originally took effect on 22 December 2010.

The page below sets out the key facts and answers the most basic questions. These are intended to provide a high level summary of key elements of the proposals.

Read our FAQs on CSCS