Staff qualifications at DEFA


Authority	[[department-of-environment-food-and-agriculture
Date received	2021-11-02
Outcome	Request lapsed - requested information not provided
Outcome date	2021-12-07
Topic	[[employment-workforce

Summary

The requester asked for specific data on DEFA staff resignations with PhDs or veterinary degrees and their replacement rates over 10 years. The authority provided proxy data based on staff using the title 'Dr' and veterinary degree counts, but stated they lacked resources to determine exact replacement figures, leading to the request lapsing.

Key Facts

The request was made on 2021-11-02 and lapsed on 2021-12-07 because the specific information requested was not fully provided.
The authority used the title 'Dr' as a proxy for PhD holders, noting that staff choice affects data accuracy.
Over the period 2011-2021, 3 people with veterinary degrees left the department and 2 started.
The authority stated they do not have the resource to determine how many vacated posts were replaced or if replacements held equivalent qualifications.
The authority cited Section 8(3) of the Freedom of Information Act regarding the obligation not to create new collated records.

Data Disclosed

2021-11-02
2021-12-07
10 years
3 people with veterinary degrees left
2 people with veterinary degrees started
10 staff with 'Dr' title in 2021
9 staff with 'Dr' title in 2020
Section 8(3)

Exemptions Cited

Section 8(3) of the Freedom of Information Act (no obligation to create collated records)

Original Request

Please could you supply the following;

1) The number of staff with a qualification of a PhD or equivalent (including veterinary degrees) that have resigned from DEFA over the last 10 years.

2) How many of these posts were subsequently replaced?