The UK Treasury is reportedly offering voluntary exit packages worth up to £100,000 to some of its officials as part of a plan to significantly reduce staff numbers over the coming years. According to a report by the Financial Times, the move is aimed at cutting hundreds of roles within the finance ministry.
British Finance Minister Rachel Reeves is said to be targeting a reduction of around 300 positions from the Treasury’s current workforce of approximately 2,100 employees by 2030. Sources familiar with the matter told the Financial Times that this initiative is part of a broader government effort to lower administrative spending across Whitehall by about 16 percent.
The report also notes that while the Treasury is prioritising voluntary departures, compulsory redundancies could still take place if not enough staff choose to leave. These potential changes may affect offices in London, Darlington, Norwich, and Edinburgh.
A Treasury spokesperson explained that the department has grown to its largest size on record and that the current period of stability provides an opportunity to return to more typical staffing levels. The spokesperson added that the voluntary exit scheme aligns with similar measures being adopted across government departments.
Beyond the figures and policy goals, this decision highlights a moment of transition for public sector workers. For many employees, it represents a difficult choice between long-term job security and a one-time financial incentive. As the government pushes for leaner operations, the human impact of these decisions will be closely watched by staff, unions, and the wider public.
