MOD biannual civilian personnel report - April 2023
Published 25 May 2023
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/mod-biannual-civilian-personnel-report-april-2023/mod-biannual-civilian-personnel-report-april-2023
This statistical release presents figures on the strengths, inflow and outflow of all civilian personnel employed by the Ministry of Defence.
For further information on the MOD Biannual Civilian Personnel Report please visit:
The United Kingdom Statistics Authority has designated these statistics as National Statistics (November 2013), in accordance with the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007 and signifying compliance with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.
Once statistics have been designated as National Statistics it is a statutory requirement that the Code of Practice shall continue to be observed.
Definitions of terms used in this publication are present throughout the publication.
From 1 April 2023, Defence Nuclear Organisation (DNO) and Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) are presented separately. Prior to 1 April 2023, DNO and SDA were not separately identifiable for the purposes of producing this Official Statistic, and are therefore reported together within ‘Trading Funds and Executive Agencies’. From 1 April 2023 onwards, DNO is presented as a MOD Main TLB, and SDA is presented within ‘Trading Fund and Executive Agencies’. Equivalent changes to inflow and outflow, as reported in tables 2 and 3, are being reviewed to be updated in 1 October 23 publication.
Main Points
MOD civilian personnel strength (FTE) and Headcount (HC)
At 1 April 2023, MOD civilian personnel strength (FTE) was 60,640.
This is an increase of 740 (1.2%) compared with 1 April 2022.
At 1 April 2023, MOD civilian personnel strength (HC) was 62,650.
This is an increase of 760 (1.2%) compared with 1 April 2022.
MOD civilian personnel inflow
For the 12 months from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023, MOD civilian personnel inflow was 6,820.
This is an increase of 1,050 (18.2%) compared with the previous 12 months.
MOD civilian personnel outflow
For the 12 months from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023, MOD civilian personnel outflow was 6,020.
This is an increase of 120 (2.0%) compared with the previous 12 months.
Civilian Personnel
FTE and Headcount (HC) Strengths
The MOD civilian personnel strength (FTE) at 1 April 2023 was 60,640, an increase of 740 personnel (1.2%) compared with 1 April 2022 (Excel ODS Table 1).
The MOD civilian personnel strength (HC) at 1 April 2023 was 62,650, an increase of 760 personnel (1.2%) compared with 1 April 2022 (Excel ODS Table 3).
Headcount (HC) A measure of the size of the workforce based on number of personnel employed rather than by their FTE proportion.
Strength Total number of personnel employed by the Department at a specific time period.
Full Time Equivalence (FTE) A figure that allows part-time workers’ hours to be put into the same units as full-time workers. This publication often uses the term jobs to mean full-time equivalent employment.
Figure 1 shows that MOD Main Top Level Budgetary areas have the largest FTE share of 60.0%. The Trading Fund & Executive Agencies account for 30.9%, Locally Engaged Civilians 6.3% and Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s share is smallest at 2.8%.
Figure 1: Breakdown of Civilian Personnel (FTE) by main groups, as at 1 April 2023
With effect from 1 April 2023 publication, DE&S Trading Entity data is merged within Trading Fund & Executive Agencies for strength data. Please see Excel ODS Table 1 for DE&S Trading Entity strength figures.
Table 1 shows the FTE net change in personnel between 1 April 2022 and 1 April 2023. The MOD Main Top Level Budgetary Areas showed the highest percentage change at 1.6 per cent, with Royal Fleet Auxilliary showing a reduction of 3.0 per cent.
Table 1: MOD Civilian Personnel by Main Groups (FTE)
| FTE as at 1 April 2022 | FTE as at 1 April 2023 | Difference | % Change | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MOD Main Top Level Budgetary areas | 35,840 | 36,390 | 560 | 1.6% |
| Trading Fund & Executive Agencies | 18,520 | 18,750 | 220 | 1.2% |
| Locally engaged civilians | 3,780 | 3,800 | 20 | 0.4% |
| Royal Fleet Auxiliary | 1,760 | 1,710 | -50 | -3.0% |
| Total | 59,900 | 60,640 | 740 | 1.2% |
MOD Main Top Level Budgetary Area (TLB) The major organisational groupings of the MOD directly responsible for the planning, management and delivery of departmental capability. These are Navy Command, Army TLB, HQ Air Command, Head Office & Corporate Services, UK Strategic Command, Defence Infrastructure Organisation and Defence Nuclear Organisation. Please see glossary for further information.
Trading Fund and Executive Agencies Self accounting units that have greater freedom than other government departments in managing their own financial and management activities. From 1 July 2017 this total includes ‘Executive Agency’ data. These are UK Hydrographic Office, Defence Science & Technology Laboratory, Submarine Delivery Agency, Defence Equipment & Support, Defence Electronics Components Agency. Please see glossary for further information.
Locally Engaged Civilians LEC employees are recruited overseas exclusively for employment in support of the UK Armed Forces. LECs are also employed on terms and conditions analogous with local employment law and market forces, and not those of the UK.
Royal Fleet Auxiliary A civilian-manned fleet, owned by the MOD, which supports Royal Navy ships around the world, supplying warships with fuel, ammunition and supplies.
Figure 2 demonstrates an overall trend of increasing civilian FTE strength across the reporting period, from 1 April 2019 to 1 April 2023. There have been two drops in strength during this time, first at 1 April 2020 and then again at 1 July 2022. From 1 July 2022, strengths have been consistently rising peaking at 1 April 2023.
Figure 2: MOD Civilian Personnel Strength (FTE), as at 1 April 2023
Civilian Personnel by Grade
The proportion of civilian personnel in a MOD Main Top Level Budgetary area who were classed as non-industrial personnel has slowly increased since 1 April 2016. The proportion has ranged from 84.9% at 1 April 2016 to 91.7% as at 1 April 2023.
Non-industrial Personnel Civilian personnel who undertake work such as administration, analysis, policy, procurement, finance, medical, dental, teaching, policing, science and engineering.
Figure 3 shows the breakdown of FTE by pay band. At 1 April 2023, SCS showed the smallest proportion at 0.9%. Senior and Higher Executive Officers have the highest share of 33.7% followed closely by Administrative Officers and Assistants at 30.4%. The remaining proportions were between Grade 6 & 7 personnel (8.9%), Executive Officers (17.8%) and Industrial personnel (8.3%).
Figure 3: Proportion of Civilian Personnel by Grade*, as at 1 April 2023
* Excludes unknown grades.
Inflow and Outflow
Inflow The number of personnel joining the Department within a monthly, quarterly or financial year period.
Outflow The number of personnel leaving the Department within a monthly, quarterly or financial year period.
The annual inflow of civilian personnel in the 12 months from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 was 6,820, an 18.2% increase (1,050 personnel) compared with the previous 12 months (Table 2).
Trading Fund & Executive Agencies (excluding DE&S) showed the highest percentage change for inflow at 21.4 per cent, with MOD Main Top level Budgetary areas showing an increase of 16.5 per cent (Table 2).
Table 2: Inflow of Civilian Personnel (headcount)
| 12 months to 31 March 2022 | 12 months to 31 March 2023 | Difference (number) | Difference (% change) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MOD Main Top Level Budgetary areas | 3,520 | 4,100 | 580 | 16.5% |
| Trading Fund & Executive Agencies (excluding DE&S) | 1,170 | 1,420 | 250 | 21.4% |
| Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) | 1,080 | 1,300 | 220 | 20.2% |
| Total | 5,770 | 6,820 | 1,050 | 18.2 % |
The annual outflow of civilian personnel in the 12 months from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 was 6,020, a 2.0% increase (120 personnel) compared with the previous 12 months (Table 3).
Table 3: Outflow of Civilian Personnel (headcount)
| 12 months to 31 March 2022 | 12 months to 31 March 2023 | Difference (number) | Difference (% change) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MOD Main Top Level Budgetary areas | 4,200 | 4,180 | -20 | -0.4% |
| Trading Fund & Executive Agencies (excluding DE&S) | 730 | 840 | 110 | 15.2% |
| Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) | 980 | 1,010 | 30 | 2.9% |
| Total | 5,900 | 6,020 | 120 | 2.0 % |
The two most common reasons for leaving between 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2023 were resignation and retirement accounting for 45.7% and 26.6% respectively (Figure 4).
Figure 4: MOD Main Top Level Budgetary Areas Outflow by Reason, 12 months ending 31 March 2023
Figure 5 shows the overall trend in the net flow of MOD Main Top Level Budgetary areas personnel. For the 12 months from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 the net flow was negative by minus 80 personnel, the outflow was minus 4,180, whereas the intake was positive 4,100. Following a negative trend in net flows, the net flow has been increasing since June 2022.
Figure 5: Inflow and outflow of MOD Main Top Level Budgetary Areas personnel (Headcount)
Glossary
Navy Command: A MOD Main Top Level Budgetary Area (TLB) for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. As at 1 April 2010 Fleet TLB was renamed to Navy Command. Fleet TLB was formed on 1 April 2006 by the merger of the Commander-in-Chief Fleet and the Chief of Naval Personnel/ Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command.
Army TLB: A MOD Main Top Level Budgetary Area (TLB) for the Army. (Previously reported as Land Forces) Performs a similar role to Navy Command within the context of trained Army formations and equipment.
HQ Air Command: A MOD Main Top Level Budgetary Area (TLB) for the Royal Air Force (RAF). Incorporates the RAF’s Personnel and Training Command and Strike Command with a single fully integrated Headquarters, which equips the RAF to provide a coherent and coordinated single Air focus to the other Services, MOD Head Office, the Permanent Joint Headquarters and the rest of MOD.
Head Office & Corporate Services: A MOD Main Top Level Budgetary Area (TLB). Established as at 1 April 2012. Lead areas of activity include Senior Finance Office (SFO) are responsible for ensuring that decisions are taken with due regard to affordability and value for money, acting as Head of Establishment for London HO Buildings and associated support requirements, Production of the Department’s Resource Accounts and Governance support for MOD Trading Funds.
UK Strategic Command: A MOD Main Top Level Budgetary Area (TLB). Established at 1 April 2012 to ensure that a range of military support functions covering medical services, training and education, intelligence and cyber are organised in an efficient and effective manner to support success on operations, supporting investment in joint capabilities, strengthening the links between operational theatres and top level decision making. As of October 2019 JFC changed their official title to UKStratcom.
Defence Infrastructure Organisation: A MOD Main Top Level Budgetary Area (TLB). Established on 1 April 2011, DIO manages the military estate, including accommodation for Service personnel and their families, on behalf of the MOD. It replaced Defence Estates and includes TLB property and facilities management functions previously situated within other TLBs .
Defence Nuclear Organisation: A MOD Main Top Level Budgetary Area (TLB). Established 1 April 2016. The MOD organisation that oversees all defence nuclear business, this includes investments for future nuclear submarines and for dismantling and disposal.
UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO): An Executive Agency which provides navigation charts and other hydrographic information and services to Defence, primarily the Royal Navy and commercial shipping.
Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (DSTL): An Executive Agency established in July 2001. It supplies impartial scientific and technical research and advice to the MOD and other government departments.
Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA): An Executive Agency established in April 2018, SDA manages the procurement, in-service support and disposal of UK nuclear submarines, which are some of the most complex equipment in the world. They deliver capabilities to the Royal Navy that are essential to the Continuous at Sea Deterrent (CASD) - the cornerstone of national security.
Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S): A bespoke trading entity responsible for equipping and supporting the UK’s Armed Forces. They manage a vast range of complex projects to buy and support all the equipment and services that the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force need to operate effectively. They work closely with industry, including through partnering agreements and private finance initiatives.
Defence Electronics Components Agency (DECA): An Executive Agency established in April 2015. DECA is a trusted MOD and industry partner with a highly professional team aiming to provide benchmark support services as the principal in-house government organisation dedicated to maintenance, repair, overhaul, upgrade, procurement and managed service provision in the defence avionics, electronics and components field.
Further Information
Grade structures
Since 1 April 1996 all departments and agencies have had delegated responsibility for the pay and grading of their employees, except for those in the Senior Civil Service (SCS). As of February 2022 following the implementation of the MYHR personnel system, MOD Main TLB elements of the department are again reporting Civil Service wide grade structure.
The civil service-wide grades here are shown against levels broadly equivalent (in terms of pay and job weight) to the former MOD grades.
| Civil Service grades | Former MOD grades |
|---|---|
| SCS – Senior Civil Service | SCS – Senior Civil Service |
| Grade 6 | B1 & equivalents |
| Grade 7 | B2 & equivalents |
| SEO - Senior Executive Officer | C1 & equivalents |
| HEO - Higher Executive Officer | C2 & equivalents |
| EO - Executive Officer | D & equivalents |
| AO - Administrative Officer | E1 & equivalents |
| AA - Administrative Assistant | E2 & equivalents |
Analysis Civilian report personnel against their equivalence within the broader banded structure; SCS to AA for non-industrials and Skill Zones 1 to 4, Industrial Firemen and Apprentices for Industrial personnel. Broader banded grading applies equivalence for all non-harmonised grade codes. This includes personnel in retained grade structures, (such as lecturers) and personnel employed in analogue grade bands (such as civilian nurses employed against NHS grade codes), who have their own delegated pay schemes outside of the MOD National and London pay scales.
Rounding
Tables and Charts within this document
Where rounding has been used, totals and sub-totals have been rounded separately and so may not equal the sums of their rounded parts. This also applies to Civilian personnel data expressed in terms of Full-Time Equivalents (FTE).
When rounding to the nearest 10, numbers ending in “5” have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic bias.
Excel tables accompanying this publication
An updated MOD Disclosure Control and Rounding policy has been published on GOV.UK and we have applied this policy to the statistics on Civilian personnel in the accompanying Excel tables. The policy is available here.
Disclosure control will still be applied to statistical or numeric information to safeguard the confidentiality of individuals. ‘Disclosure control’ refers to the efforts made to reduce the risk of disclosure, such as applying statistical methods to protect ‘personally identifiable information’ (PII) in aggregate data tables. These safeguards can take many forms (e.g. data suppression, rounding, recoding etc.).
Revisions
Occasionally errors can occur in statistical processes; procedures are constantly reviewed to minimise this risk. Should a significant error be found the publication on the website will be updated and an errata slip published documenting the revision.
Background Quality Report
The background quality report provides more detailed information about the quality of data used to produce this publication and any statistics derived from that data. MOD civilian personnel statistics: background quality reports
Contact US:
Responsible statistician: Analysis Civilian Head of Branch
Further information/mailing list: Analysis-Civilian-Enquiries@mod.gov.uk
Background quality report: Background quality report
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