Government departments spent £600m securing the early departures of 17,800 staff last year, with minimal co-ordination, risking a future spike in staff costs unless workplace practices are reformed, the National Audit Office (NAO) has reported.
In a study published 15 March, the spending watchdog found Coalition changes to civil-service leaving packages lowered redundancy costs by around 45% in the year from December 2010, and indicated departments could save £400m annually on wages once the initial costs are met.
