London — Sue Gray, Chief of Staff to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, has received a pay rise that has drawn significant criticism from within government circles. Her new salary of £170,000 surpasses that of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who earns £166,786, and is more than any cabinet minister or her Conservative predecessor, Liam Booth Smith.
The pay increase, which was finalized shortly after Gray’s appointment, has sparked a debate about the propriety and impact of such a substantial salary for a special adviser. The decision was made following a rebanding of salaries for special advisers approved by the prime minister, though the government maintains that the adjustment was carried out by officials and not Gray herself.
Gray, who played a key role in the investigation into Downing Street parties during the pandemic—an inquiry that contributed to Boris Johnson’s downfall—transitioned from a senior civil servant to a Labour Party adviser. Her substantial salary boost has intensified the scrutiny surrounding her, with some insiders criticizing what they perceive as a lack of political judgment and an excessively grand position.
A source close to the situation described the circumstances as indicative of a “dysfunctional” operation within No10, with suggestions that Gray is effectively positioning herself as a deputy prime minister. This perception has fueled discontent among other advisers who feel underpaid and have expressed frustration over what they view as inequities in compensation.
While some government officials argue that the decision reflects the need to align special adviser salaries with those of other Whitehall positions, others remain critical of the scale of the increase. Notably, the rebanding was intended to address disparities in pay, but the high profile of Gray’s salary has led to significant backlash.
Concerns have also been raised about the delay in distributing formal contracts to special advisers, which reportedly left many with little choice but to accept lower-than-expected salaries. There is a broader sentiment among some advisers that the planning for government preparations was inadequate, with criticisms directed at Gray’s oversight of the process.
The Conservative Party has demanded answers regarding the approval of Gray’s salary and the role she may have played in setting it. They have also questioned the existence of a special adviser remuneration committee and whether Gray had any influence over her pay.
A Cabinet Office spokesperson has defended the process, asserting that decisions regarding special adviser salaries are made by officials rather than the appointees themselves. The spokesperson emphasized that special advisers do not have control over expenditure or budget decisions.
As the government continues to grapple with these internal issues, the debate over Sue Gray’s salary highlights broader tensions about public sector pay and the management of political appointments.