The Conservatives have challenged the government inquiring about the process that led to Sue Gray, Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, receiving a supposedly 17% pay rise, which is more than the Prime Minister. The Tories have raised concerns about the lack of transparency regarding special advisers’ pay bands and the decision-making process behind Gray’s salary increase.
Georgia Gould, a Cabinet Office minister, has not clarified whether Labour increased the pay cap for special advisers in band 4, the top level. This has sparked questions about the fairness of Gray’s pay rise, especially considering the pay cap for band 4 was lower under the Conservatives.
Gray, who played a crucial role in an investigative report that led to former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s downfall, now earns more than her Conservative predecessor in the same role, Liam Booth-Smith. The Conservatives demand answers from the government regarding Gray’s involvement in decisions regarding her salary.
In related news, John Major, a former Conservative PM, has condemned the government’s policy on Rwanda, calling it “un-British, un-Christian, and unconscionable.” Meanwhile, within the Conservative Party, there seems to be a debate on how to win back voters after the recent election defeat, with different leadership candidates suggesting distinct approaches.
Source
Photo credit www.theguardian.com
