In this era of austerity, it is reported by Panorma that more than 9,000 workers in the public sector earn more than David Cameron, who cut the prime minister's salary to £142,500 when he took office in May.
As the Guardian reveal today, the survey, carried out by Panorama in conjunction with the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, is based on responses to more than 2,400 freedom of information requests submitted since February this year. The survey found:
• The NHS has the highest number of staff – 26,000 – earning more than £100,000 than any other part of the public sector. Nearly 6,500 employees earn more than the prime minister, of whom 1,465 are GPs.
• There are 17 teachers in England who earn more than the PM. There are 385 teachers who earn more than £100,000.
• Gerald Jones, chief executive of Conservative-run Wandsworth council, earns £299,925 as the highest paid council official in Britain. There are 362 council officials who earn more than the PM.
• The BBC, which is included in the Panorama database because it is publicly funded by the licence fee payer, employs 331 people earning more than £100,000. There are 97 managers earning more than £160,000, nearly £20,000 more than the prime minister's salary.
Such a situation is clearly not sustainable and the public sector needs to get real about this otherwise they suffer loss of credibility in negotiations.
They have a duty to manage this carefully because the more polarised the debate with the government. the greater negative impact on the morale of staff. Staff will be resentful of high-flyers earning more than £100k/year.
In such a scenario effective negotiation becomes paramount.
Justin Patten, Mediator