Audit chief's pay package vetoed

Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles says Audit chief's pay package is excessive
12 April 2012

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has vetoed a pay package of nearly £240,000 for the new head of the Audit Commission, it has been revealed.

The intervention is designed to send a signal through the public sector that excessive remuneration will not be tolerated.

The local authority and NHS watchdog had apparently asked the Government to approve a salary and pension package worth £239,800 a year for its new chief executive.

But Mr Pickles said the sum was too high, insisting the public coffers were "empty".

"The spiralling level of pay and perks for town hall bosses stops here," he said.

"By blocking this massive salary for the Audit Commission, I want to send a signal to councils across the country that they too can stop paying ridiculous sums to chief executives.

"Councillors should have the confidence to set sensible salaries that the public deem fit and proper."

"Everyone will need to do their bit to cut unnecessary costs. We should lead from the top - cutting bosses' pay from the Cabinet downwards. It's time to restore an ethos of public service."

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