Last month John Ransford, the Chief Executive of the Local Government Association, to take a pay cut. Local Government Minister Grant Shapps has now written to the LGA Chairman, Baroness Eaton, urging that other LGA staff on six figure salaries should also set an example.
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has already called on Council Chief Executives on £200,000 or more to take a 10% cut and those on £150,000 or more to take a 5% cut. All Government Ministers have taken a pay cut.
In his letter, Grant says:
As the body representing local government it is important that you follow suit, do the right thing, and demonstrate a consistency of approach in everything that you do.
In some cases employees on the LGA are on six figure salaries have enjoyed a pay rise during the past 12 months. I think we would both believe this sends out the wrong signal to the public.