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.
Get Britain's best politics newsletters
Register to get The Spectator's insight and opinion straight to your inbox. You can then read two free articles each week.
Already a subscriber? Log in
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