Lord Irvine wins 8% wage boost

Lord Chancellor Derry Irvine, Tony Blair's friend and already the highest paid member of the Government, is to get an eight per cent rise.

The increase for Britain's judges, phased over two years, will push Lord Irvine's salary up almost £14,000 to £187,785. Mr Blair, who today approved the rises recommended by the Senior Salaries Review body, will get 2.5 per cent more this year only, taking his pay to £167,503.

Senior civil servants, MPs and military top brass will get a 2.5 per cent pay rise from April. But there will be civil service bonuses of three per cent or more for "those making the greatest contribution". MPs will get an extra £2,000, the final instalment of last year's recommendations.

Officials said the inflation-busting rise for the judiciary was because high-earning barristers currently face a substantial pay cut if they become judges. Lord Irvine's salary is pegged by law at a level £2,500 above the pay of the Lord Chief Justice, the most senior serving judge.

Cabinet Ministers will see their pay rise from £117,979 to just under £121,000.