Reports of a dispute within the UK government over staff pay were revealed by the BBC. The story suggested that tensions were high in the government only three months after the Labour party’s election victory. The reason for the altercation was due to Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, Sue Gray, receiving a pay rise that now puts her on a higher salary than the prime minister. Government sources informed the media outlet of the pay increase, leading to claims of fractious relations between staff at the heart of the government.
While being interviewed by a BBC regional political editor, Charlotte Wright, the prime minister denied any issues, insisting that he is “completely in control”. He added that his team had a big mandate to deliver change, and that this was his main focus. In other interviews with BBC editors, Sir Keir defended his decision to accept corporate hospitality from Arsenal Football Club. The club has offered two seats to the prime minister in the corporate section of Emirates Stadium. He revealed that he was advised that it would cost taxpayers more in security costs if he used his usual seat and that accepting the offer from Arsenal was a “perfectly sensible arrangement”.
According to a BBC report, Ms Gray received a salary of £170,000 after the July election, which is approximately £3,000 more than the Prime Minister’s salary and more than her Conservative predecessor, Rishi Sunak’s chief of staff. While many expressed their support for Gray, it is believed that several other advisers feel that their salaries are unfairly low. However, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds made it clear that ministers “had no input” in adviser pay, with civil servants being in charge of salary decisions.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting claimed that Ms Gray was doing an excellent job in Downing Street, despite recent reports of tension between her and other government staff members. Ms Gray is a former senior civil servant, whose report into Covid lockdown parties in Downing Street contributed to the downfall of then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The reports have led to speculation regarding whether the prime minister signed off on Ms Gray’s pay rise and if she played a part in setting her own salary.
The Conservatives raised concerns and questioned whether the prime minister authorised the increase in pay and the highest pay band cap. They also asked if the special adviser remuneration committee still exists and whether Gray is a member. Shadow Commons leader Chris Philp was critical of the pay rise, pointing out that it is disproportionate in comparison to workers and pensioners
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