Sunday 9 September 2007

Curbing Excesses

There has been so much I wanted to blog about over the last week, but I have been hindered by both lack of time and a dodgy internet connection.

And yesterday was our first wedding anniversary! One whole year of being Mrs H - I can't believe it has flown by so quickly!

Anyway, back to the issues. Most of what I wanted to say is no longer that topical, so I will restrict my comments to a story that caught my eye in today's Sunday Herald. The headline was a tad misleading - Swinney warning to public bodies: ‘curb pay deals’

http://www.sundayherald.com/news/heraldnews/display.var.1675182.0.swinney_warning_to_public_bodies_curb_pay_deals.php

If someone was to read this headline and no further, this would give the impression that the SNP is looking to restrict public sector pay deals. Nice bit of presentational spin from Mr Hutcheon... However, the story is actually about curbing the excessive, in my view, pay deals of the most senior employees in the public sector - the likes that are paid in excess of £100,000. No matter how experienced, how hardworking and talented someone is, I don't think it is right that taxpayers are funding such whopping great salaries. I think John Swinney is right to curb excessive pay deals and perks, and I think this fact is more deserving that been 'hidden' in a small story in a Sunday newspaper.

3 comments:

Mountjoy said...

Julie, the press is spinning again...

More alarming though is, from our favourite Labour politician, Wendy Alexander, who’s called for the Barnett formula to be rethought.

This is not in the interests of Scotland, because it has been decreed by Gordon in order to try to sew up English votes. Ms Alexander is supposed to be the leader of Labour in the Scottish Parliament. She’s hardly acting in Scotland’s favour by making such an assertion.

Julie Hepburn said...

I also want a rethink of the Barnett Formula, which doesn't serve people in Scotland or England well in my opinion. Nor does the statistical debate over this funding formula - who subsidises who, etc. We need a sustainable solution that is fair to all.

My alternative? Independence.

Anonymous said...

If a person could earn £100,000 upwards in the private sector why should we not pay £100,000 for them to work in the public sector. I don't think you can generalise and if you keep the top level salaries too low you are not going to attract the calibre of person that you may otherwise attract.