The Daily Mirror has today splashed on the fact that Rupert Harrison, chief economic adviser to the British government, has had a pay increase and is now on £95,000. Outrageous, says Kevin Maguire of the Mirror. I agree: he should be on far more.
The British government is in the most almighty financial mess and the Chancellor of the Exchequer needs good advice. The national debt is soaring – by the time you finish reading this paragraph, it will have risen by more than £95,000. Money spent on someone who can help the government control this appalling situation would be money well spent.
The Mirror says that Osborne has simply given his ‘mate’ a pay rise. God knows I have my criticisms of Osborne, but no one can accuse him of hiring his mates. To his immense credit, he has hired no one that he knew before entering politics – in stark contrast to David Cameron who has hired a fair number of his old mates.
You can (and I do) accuse Osborne of plenty things, but organizing a ‘chumocracy’ is not one of them.
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in