Former ministers were paid half a million pounds in severance pay last year

Liz Truss, who served as Prime Minister for 49 days, received £18,860. Photo: Dominic Lipinski/PA

Former ministers received more than half a million pounds in severance pay over the past year, new research has found.

The Department for Further Education has paid out more severance pay to former staff than any other department in Whitehall — more than £77,000. from 2022.

Ministers who left the Home Office last year received £52,858, while the Department for Education paid £49,495 in severance pay over the same period.

The Liberal Democrats who conducted the study called for the rules to be changed to prevent disgraced MPs from making claims.

Chris Pincher, who resigned from the government after being accused of drunkenly groping two men, received £7,920. as a so-called golden farewell.

Chris Pincher resigned after being accused of harassment. Photo: UK Parliament/PA

Wendy Chamberlain, the Lib Dem whip, will come out on Monday calling for an overhaul of the system, under which ministers will also have to be in office for a «reasonable period» before being eligible to qualify.

Liz Truss, who served as prime minister for 49 days, was paid £18,860 — the same amount Boris Johnson received after leaving office.

Her chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng was paid £16 for her 38 days in office. £876

Ms Chamberlain described the golden farewells as «outrageous».

“The cost of conservative chaos is rising. for families across the country. The British public will never forgive this shambolic Conservative government.

“Ministers destroyed the economy and then were rewarded for it. It's time to change the rules on ministerial severance pay for good to end these revolving door payments — enough is enough.»

She will announce the new proposals on the third day of the Lib Dem autumn conference in Bournemouth.

Wendy Chamberlain said the payments were «outrageous»; Photo: Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images

The proposals would also require that payments could not be claimed if the person was reappointed to government within a year.

Under current rules, ministers can claim severance pay up to almost £17,000 and for prime ministers up to £18,660, regardless of the reason for departure or length of time in office.

Whitehall departments handed out £530,000. in taxpayer-funded payments last year.

The Cabinet Office paid out £75,585 in ministerial severance pay and the Treasury contributed £45,000.

A Government spokesman said: “There are There are long-standing rules governing which ministers are eligible to receive severance pay. Under these rules, ministers must decide whether they want to accept it.”

A Conservative Party spokesman said: “This is precisely the type of 'do as I say, not as I do' policy.” what the nation expects from the Lib Dems.

“Severance pay has been paid by successive administrations over several decades, including at the end of the coalition government in 2015.”

“If their While ministers were then happy to accept the payments, they should return them to British taxpayers before trying to score political points.»