The latest data from the DCMS shows that the department plus its arms’ length bodies such as Ofcom, the British Tourist Authority and British Library, and hired a total of 63 of new off-payroll engagements lasting longer than six months in duration, between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2016. These contractors were paid over £220 per day.

A third of the hires (21) related to positions at Ofcom while the British Museum, British Library and BFI each contracted three apiece, while the Tate reported seven hires, with six being in post for more than a year.

The majority of the Ofcom engagements are shown as lasting less than one year, while DCMS itself reported 36 off-payroll engagements as at 31 March 2016, of which six have lasted between three and four years.

DCMS reported that for all such engagements, assurance was sought and received in relation to tax and national insurance contribution obligations.

Government departments often cite strict rules on pay and contract duration as a key reason for hiring temporary staff.

However, other data shows very few of these off-payroll engagements relate to board members or senior officials with significant financial responsibility, between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2016.

The only two of any significance are that the Royal Parks made an off payroll appointment for three months in early 2016 to the role of director of resources, following the retirement of the previous post holder to cover the gap while recruiting a new director, and the Wallace Collection hired an interim director of finance and operations for a period of 4.5 months after the postholder left for another job in February 2015.

DCMS Tax Reporting Data for off-payroll Workers, April 2015 to March 2016 is here.