Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Top civil servant wage bill slashed

Andrew Woodcock
Tuesday 02 August 2011 14:31 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The number of civil servants and quango chiefs on salaries over £150,000 has been cut by more than 50 over the past year, at an annual saving to the taxpayer of around £10 million, it was revealed today.

Some 291 mandarins and officials were earning more than £150,000 - compared to David Cameron's salary of £132,923 as Prime Minister - down from 345 in 2010.

The biggest earner was Tony Fountain, chief executive of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, on £375,000-£380,000. Mr Fountain also received a £70,810 payment in lieu of pension and £76,650 second home allowance, according to the figures released by the Cabinet Office.

Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude said: "This week we have revealed a staggering £3.75 billion of cash savings by driving out inefficiencies and unjustifiable costs in central government.

"As part of these savings we have slashed £10 million off the salary bill of the top earners by reducing the number of officials earning over £150,000 by 16%. This is another example of cutting the deficit without cutting frontline services."

Today's list reveals the salary of all senior civil servants and officials in departments, agencies and non-departmental public bodies earning £150,000 or more, broken down into £5,000 bands.

Senior officials who work part-time are included on the list if their pro rata pay is the equivalent of more than £150,000 for a full-time job.

Senior staff at the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) took home some of the biggest pay packets, with chief executive Dennis Hone on £310-315,000 and director of construction Howard Shiplee on £285-290,000.

ODA director of infrastructure Simon Wright, director of property Ralph Luck, director of transport Hugh Sumner and director of design Alison Nimmo are all on £225-230,000. ODA chairman John Armitt earned £250-255,000 for a three-and-a-half day week.

NHS chief executive Sir David Nicholson and Office of Fair Trading chief executive John Fingleton were both on salaries of £275-280,000, while Civil Aviation Authority chief executive Andrew Haines earned £250-255,000.

The organisation with the most high-earning officials was the Ministry of Defence, with 27 individuals on the list, including Chief of Defence Staff General Sir David Richards on £235-240,000, First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope on £185-190,000, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton on £175-180,000 and chief of the Army General Sir Peter Wall on £170-175,000.

PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in