Chris Wormald receives £860,000 payout after short Cabinet Secretary tenure

Sir Chris Wormald, Britain’s former Cabinet Secretary, has received a record redundancy payout of nearly £860,000 following his departure from the role after only 14 months. The sum includes a £332,897 contractual compensation payment and a £526,598 additional redundancy payment. According to Cabinet Office accounts, the payout was partly intended to cover pension contributions, as his dismissal effectively ended his career in public administration.

Wormald became the shortest-serving holder of the position in its 110-year history. His departure, described as being by ‘mutual agreement,’ followed months of media reports suggesting dissatisfaction with his performance. Political opponents, including Shadow Chancellor Alex Burghart and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, have criticized the payment, labeling it an ‘appalling waste of taxpayers’ money’ and accusing Prime Minister Keir Starmer of using Wormald as a scapegoat to shield himself from political pressure regarding vetting failures and civil service management.

A Cabinet Office spokesperson stated they do not comment on human resources matters but noted that the permanent secretary received ministerial instructions to proceed with the payment, and the relevant correspondence is public record.