The number of council staff earning over £150,000 shot up by 60 over the last year – at the same time as every household in the UK faces a higher council tax bill this month.
Council employees on over £100,000 hit a six-year high of 2,667 – an increase of ten per cent in a year, according to research compiled by the Taxpayers’ Alliance. It is also the highest level since 2013/14.
Some 32 local authority employees received a salary of over £250,000 – four more than the previous year.
And 25 received golden goodbyes of more than £95,000 – the cap on payoffs for public sector employees.
Essex county council had the most employees with salaries over £100,000, with 35, while Glasgow city council had the highest number earning over £150,000, with 12.
The individual who received the largest amount in expenses was Glasgow council’s Peter Duthie, CEO of Scottish Event Campus Ltd, who received £19,170 in benefits and expenses.
The figures were revealed amid warnings of major shortfalls in town hall finances because of a soaring number of people defaulting on their council tax due to coronavirus.
John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “The coronavirus crisis means that frontline council services are more crucial than ever, but at the same time household budgets face an enormous squeeze from crushing council tax rises.
“There are plenty of talented people in local authorities who are focused on delivering more for less, but that is needed across the board. The country needs every council to cut out waste and prioritise key services without resorting to punishing tax hikes on their residents.
“These figures should shine a light on the town hall bosses who’ve got it right, but also allow taxpayers to hold to account those who aren’t delivering value for money at this critical time.”
