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Cabinet Office unveils pay of quango high-earners

The government today published details of all individuals employed by quangos and senior civil servants who earn more than £150,000.

Among those named in the 332-strong list are:

  • Michael O’Higgins, chairman of the Audit Commission, who receives £90,000-£95,000 (but no pension) for a two-day week
  • Robin Evans, chief executive of British Waterways, who receives £230,000-£234,999
  • Alison Littley, chief executive of Buying Solutions, who earns £150,000 to £154,999
  • Cynthia Bower, chief executive of the Care Quality Commission, who receives £195,000 to £199,999
  • Dr Paul Leinster, chief executive of the Environment Agency, who earns £195,000 to £199,999
  • Sir Bob Kerslake, chief executive of the Homes and Communities Agency, who is paid £220,000 to £224,999
  • Nigel Smith, chief executive of the Office of Government Commerce, who receives £185,000 to £189,999 (although two OGC directors receive more)
  • Christine Gilbert, Chief Inspector at Ofsted, who is paid £195,000 to £199,999
  • Tim Byles, chief executive of Partnerships for Schools, who receives £215,000 to £219,999
  • Peter Marsh, chief executive of the Tenant Services Authority, who earns £165,000 to £169,999.

Francis Maude, Minister for the Cabinet Office, who also chairs the new Public Sector Transparency Board, claimed that releasing the information would “allow everyone to hold their politicians and public bodies to account”.

The government’s transparency drive would “not only increase accountability, but will lead to more efficient public service organisations”, he insisted.

The coalition government has already published lists of the highest earning senior civil servants, and special advisers who earn more than £58,200.

The Cabinet Office plans to publish later this year the names, grades, job titles and annual pay rates for most senior civil servants and non departmental public body officials with salaries higher than £58,200, as well as departmental organograms.

Maude added that the Public Bodies (Reform) Bill, the government would reduce the number of quangos.

The legislation will hand ministers powers to abolish, merge or transfer quangos’ functions. It will also require a review of those functions every three years.