Public-sector pay does not deserve the flak

OK, here’s the story on UK pay. First we had the credit crunch, created by highly paid, excessively incentivised bankers and traders. Now we have a record public-sector deficit and all those public-sector workers, especially their leaders, are to blame – or at least that seems to be the thinking in some quarters.

The Taxpayers’ Alliance (who exactly do they represent?) is outraged that 12 council leaders and even some hospital managers earn more than the prime minister. This, as we all know, is a fantastic external benchmark given that ex-PMs can earn their annual £197,000 simply by making a few external presentations in their sleep!