Police chief's pay tops PM
AT least seven public sector employees in Northern Ireland are earning more than the Prime Minister, it has been confirmed.
Yesterday Prime Minister David Cameron disclosed the salaries of more than 170 senior civil servants across the UK who earn more than him, as part of an attempt to win back voter confidence in the wake of the MPs' expenses scandal.
Mr Cameron, who earns 150,000 as Prime Minister, believes that lifting "the cloak of secrecy" will force people to become more accountable for their actions and to justify their pay.
Today the News Letter confirms that, based on published 2008/9 figures, at least seven public sector employees earn more than the Prime Minister.
They include the Northern Ireland Office permanent secretary Sir Jonathan Phillips at 175-180,000; chief medical officer Dr M McBride at 195-200,000; chief executive designate for the Education and Skills Authority Gavin Boyd at 160-165,000; Office of First and Deputy First Minister head of department, Bruce Robinson, at 150-155,000 (whole of year equivalent figure); Public Prosecution Service director Sir Alasdair Fraser at 170-174,999 and PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott at 188,736 with deputy chief Judith Gillespie at 153,348.
A spokesman for the Northern Ireland Office said its figures were in line with other Government departments.
"We will publish salary details for senior civil servants in September as set out in the Prime Minister's statement," he added.
It is understood that salaries of many departmental civil servants will drop slightly when the figures for 2009-2010 are published as Finance Minister Sammy Wilson ruled out bonuses for senior civil servants this year.
There were approximately 220 senior civil servants in the 11 Departments of the Northern Ireland Civil Service last year, with a total pay bill of 15m and non-consolidated bonus payments totalling 1.2m.
They tend to receive annual pay awards broadly in line with Great Britain, based on recommendations made by the Senior Salaries Review Body.
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Monday 28 May 2012
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