Revealed-Havering has 21 local government staff earning over £100K. ‘Residents need to ask tough questions to politicians.’

‘The Taxpayer’s Alliance has, this week, revealed thousands of local government staff earning more than £100k a year. Havering has 21 such employees, whilst Tower Hamlets manages a larger population with just 9.‘

Romford Councillor David Taylor today shares his ‘Taylor Talks’ column in the Havering Daily:

When I was first campaigning to be elected the UK was at the height of ‘partygate’, with then Prime Minister Boris Johnson under scrutiny for his lies about covid parties. When I worked full time in the world of politics, I was asked to give evidence in court of election expenses fraud, which resulted in people being handed suspended sentences. When I first became politically aware the UK was going through the expenses scandal, with MPs being dragged up for claiming second homes or houses for ducks. 

 So, it was quite obvious to me that I had to make a commitment to be more transparent with my finances if I was elected. I’ve done that and the results tell me that I have to continue it. 

 Over the last two years, I have published every payslip I was given as a Councillor. I did this because I wanted people to see exactly how much of their tax I was taking home. Not content with the level of transparency on the council’s website, I felt this was the most open and honest way to present the numbers. 

 As expected, I faced some criticism from both other politicians and local residents who felt it was unnecessary or a stunt. Time has proven otherwise and more and more residents view my pay each month. 

 In the early days of publishing my payslips I would get perhaps 100-200 residents a month taking a look at it. This can be measured using accurate website traffic data. But, this month, I’ve had over 1000 views for the first time. All in less than 2 weeks. 

 With 1000 residents viewing my payslip, it’s time others realise that residents want transparency. 

 The transparency goes much further, however, than just showing payslips. This week has seen over 300 All Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGS) shut down after new financial transparency rules were introduced in parliament. 

 APPGs have come under the spotlight recently after it was revealed that some MPs have been on a series of expensive trips abroad, sponsored by foreign governments and lobbying groups, in the name of “building relationships” through their APPGS. Some MPs sit on dozens of these groups. They are not just linked to countries either, groups exist for interests such as American Football, stamp collecting, or flags. Every one of these is involved with some organisation that has an interest in providing donations to MPs and these MPs proceed to champion the cause. 

It’s not all bad when it comes to APPGs, of course. We need special groups that look at cancer treatment, women’s rights, the role of faith groups in society and so on. But one has to start asking tough questions when it comes to MPs who are often disappearing overseas to ‘build relationships’ when we have very active embassies in those countries. 

 When I decided to champion transparency in politics, I didn’t do so in order to make someone look bad. I didn’t do it to make me look good. I did so in order that people can see clearly and decide for themselves. Doing this has opened me up to strong challenges, questions about my day-job, my views on Conservative Party finances and more. These are the right questions for people to ask, of every politician in every party. 

 We must also ask these questions of local government employees. The Taxpayer’s Alliance has, this week, revealed thousands of local government staff earning more than £100k a year. Havering has 21 such employees, whilst Tower Hamlets manages a larger population with just 9. 

There may be very good reasons for this, in which case tough questions shouldn’t be an issue. 

 And, of course, we have the age-old debate on whether politicians are paid correctly. Alongside my payslip I also attempt to quantify the number of hours I put in for the pay I take home. The most recent figure had me on around £20ph, when including the pay I get for being a Chairman of a committee. That’s not a bad wage, but perhaps isn’t as high as some people may expect. 

 I will forever be grateful to the people of Romford for electing me to represent them and I dedicate huge amounts of my time and energy to fighting for them. I do so because I love this town and have a hope for it, I want to earn and keep people’s trust. 

 Being proactively transparent is simply what residents deserve and my experience tells me that residents want that. 

 In just two weeks over 1000 residents have logged on my website. Little old me, a backbench opposition councillor. They’ve done so because they value transparency, and they want to see what politicians are being paid and whether they are paying their taxes. 

 With elections coming up, for both London and the nation, I’d encourage residents to ask tough questions of candidates.

 Who funds you? 

What do you spend the money on?

What do you claim? 

Do you pay your taxes?

 The closure of APPGs is a huge step towards tacking corruption and cronyism. The publishing of Town Hall Rich Lists is another step forwards. Let’s not go backwards and let’s prevent a repeat of the 2009 expenses nonsense. 

 You can view the Taxpayer’s Alliance Town Hall Rich List at Town Hall Rich List 2024: 3,106 council bosses received over £100,000 last year – TaxPayers’ Alliance (taxpayersalliance.com)

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