Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, Sue Gray, received a pay rise after the election, making her now paid more than the prime minister at £170,000 – £3,000 more than the PM and more than any cabinet minister or her Conservative predecessor. Despite suggestions to go for a lower salary to avoid backlash, Gray declined and now holds the highest salary among political appointees. The Cabinet Office clarified that decisions on special adviser pay are made by officials, not political appointees, and that special advisers cannot authorize public funds or have budget responsibilities.
Keir Starmer’s chief of staff Sue Gray is paid more than the prime minister
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox
Get our free View from Westminster email
Get our free View from Westminster email
Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff received a pay rise after the election which means she is now paid more than the prime minister.
Sue Gray asked for and was given a salary of £170,000 – £3,000 more than the PM and more than any cabinet minister – or her Conservative predecessor, it has emerged.
One source told the BBC: “It was suggested that she might want to go for a few thousand pounds less than the prime minister to avoid this very story. She declined.”
Ms Gray, who was hired as Sir Keir’s chief of staff in 2023, was tasked with working on Labour’s preparations for government.
A Cabinet Office spokesperson told The Independent: “It is false to suggest that political appointees have made any decisions on their own pay bands or determining their own pay.
“Any decision on special adviser pay is made by officials not political appointees.
“As set out publicly, special advisers cannot authorise expenditure of public funds or have responsibility for budgets.”
More follows…
Read the full story on www.independent.co.uk
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/keir-starmer-sue-gray-pay-prime-minister-b2614958.html