Deputies' annual salary uplift set to be cut

Wednesday 07 August 2019

The collective salary of States Deputies could be fixed at £1.73m. from 2020, which would save taxpayers a quarter of a million pounds over the four-year term.

An independent review panel of States remuneration has recommended downgrading the salary of the Scrutiny Committee President, Sacc President and Policy & Resources Committee Members.

Currently, the 38 States Deputies are collectively paid £1.76m. per year, with three wage bands depending on the positions they hold.

The review panel's proposal is to create a fourth wage band, with the positions listed above downgraded from £54,744 (which committee presidents earn) to £46,599.

They also recommend fixing remuneration for the four-year political term and discontinuing the annual pay rise that Deputies currently get in line with increases in median earnings.

Pictured: Earlier this term, Deputy Neil Inder campaigned unsuccessfully for the Sacc Presidency - then held by Deputy Matt Fallaize - to be downgraded to the lowest wage band, which is  £40,521. After taking up the position last year, he decided to give the difference to charity. 

"This would bring a more substantial saving of approximately £35,000 the second year, £71,000 the third year, and £108,000 the fourth year of the term. These figures are based on a median earnings increase of 2% per annum, and would amount to a total potential saving of in excess of £200,000 over the four-year political term," the panel said. 

"It is expected that there will be slightly less resource required to administer the system of remuneration recommended by the panel compared to current arrangements."

Pictured: P&R's committee members, who at present are Al Brouard and Jane Stephens, centre, will earn £8,000 less per year in the future. 

This conclusion had been reached after consultation with the public, States Members and Non-States Members.

"However, the panel also recommends fixing remuneration levels for the four-year term of office commencing June 2020," said the panel. "This is consistent with business community practice for fixed term contracts and supports the principles of fairness, transparency and remuneration being administratively simple.

"Should these proposals to fix remuneration for the four-year term and to re-structure the bands of remuneration be agreed and implemented, it is estimated, based on 2018 figures, that there would be a financial saving of £248,000 over a political term."