MINISTERS have “no political input” into the pay of advisers, a cabinet secretary insisted today as he defended Sir Keir Starmer’s most senior aide receiving a £170,000 salary.
The PM’s chief of staff Sue Gray is reportedly now paid £3,000 more than Sir Keir after receiving a bumper wage rise following Labour’s election win.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds dismissed suggestions that the PM personally intervened to increase her pay, which has sparked a row within government and prompted Tory MPs to demand answers about how the decision was made.
“There is, and has always been in our system, officials who are paid more than politicians, whether that’s in local government or in national government,” Mr Reynolds told LBC.
“I can understand why that generates a bit of interest, but as long as the proper process has been followed, that is how we do these things.
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