Downing Street Says » PASC report on ministers

» Monday, October 31, 2011

PASC report on ministers

Asked why there were no plans to cut the number of ministers given the general bearing-down on the cost of MPs, the PMS said that we would give the report full consideration and respond in due course. She reminded the Lobby that we are already working on this agenda, Government has acted decisively to reduce the cost of minsters by bringing a 5% cut to the pay of all ministers and we have agreed to reform ministerial pensions. We have also said we will keep under the review the size of Government so we will consider carefully the report’s recommendations. Asked if there were any plans to cut the size of the ministerial payroll, the PMS reminded the Lobby that we have already cut pay but we will keep this under review. Asked why it has taken so long to look at this issue when there are already detailed plans to cut the number of MPs, the PMS highlighted that we have acted quickly to reduce the public expenditure on ministers and are keeping it under review. She also pointed to the fact that in the report the committee rightly acknowledges that there are a vast number of demands on ministers’ time, and a range of expectations of how they spend it mean they are constantly juggling how they use their time including dealing with constituents, their Department and Parliament. The basic principle is that the number of ministers should be dictated by need and this is carefully considered when we make ministerial appointments. Asked to respond to suggestions that maintaining the number of minister is driven by motives of patronage, the PMS referred to her pervious comments that this remains under review, we will carefully consider the report, we have reduced the public expenditure on ministers not only their pay but also indirectly through the use of ministerial cars and travel – but the number of ministers should be dictated by need. Asked if the 5% cut on MP pay was temporary or permanent, the PMS said she did not know future plans for MP pay.

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