Overview

Former cabinet secretary Lord O'Donnell has raised concerns about the compensation for the UK’s top civil servant position, stating that the £200,000 annual salary is significantly underpaid.

Key Points

• Role of Cabinet Secretary: The cabinet secretary is the highest-ranking civil servant in the UK, responsible for advising the prime minister, overseeing government policy implementation, and managing senior civil service staff.
• Lord O'Donnell's Remarks: In a recent interview on BBC Radio 4's The Westminster Hour, Lord O'Donnell emphasized that the role is "massively underpaid" considering its demanding nature. He noted that his own subsequent earnings have been considerably higher for less challenging work.

Context

• Current Recruitment: The recruitment process for a new cabinet secretary is underway following Simon Case's decision to resign due to health issues. Case has been on medical treatment for a neurological condition over the past 18 months and announced his resignation as being strictly health-related.
• Historical Perspective: Lord O'Donnell served as cabinet secretary from 2005 to 2011 under three different prime ministers—Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, and David Cameron.

Salary Comparisons

• Senior civil servant salaries are determined by the government based on recommendations from the independent Senior Salaries Review Body.
• Notably, Sue Gray, who was recently chief of staff to the prime minister and previously a senior civil servant, was reported to earn £170,000 a year—more than Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s salary of £166,786.

Transition in Leadership

• Following Sue Gray's resignation amid scrutiny over her salary and position, she has transitioned to become the PM's envoy for nations and regions. Morgan McSweeney has taken over her role as chief of staff.
• Lord O'Donnell highlighted the importance of the new cabinet secretary fostering a strong working relationship with the prime minister's chief of staff for effective governance.