‘Claw-back’ of exit payments

Over 2015-16, the government consulted on draft regulations to require the repayment (or “claw back”) of “exit payments” made when a public sector worker leaves and re-joins the public sector within 12 months, where their salary on leaving exceeded £80,000. The draft regulations have been heavily criticised and it is not known whether this highly political proposal will be implemented.

In the NHS, there are already provisions in place requiring the “claw-back” of exit payments to senior managements earning over £100,000 when they are re-employed by another NHS employer within 12 months.