Green Party Mayor Hikes Own Salary Despite Vowing Pay Cut

A Green Party mayor has increased his own salary by almost £5,000, just weeks after pledging to take a 20 per cent pay cut ahead of local elections, according to GB News Politics. This move comes as councils across Britain face significant financial pressures.

Broken Promise: Mayor’s Pay Soars

Lewisham Mayor Liam Shrivastava will now receive £93,575-a-year, a 5.4 per cent increase from his Labour predecessor’s salary of £88,743. This pay hike directly contradicts his pre-election promise to take a 20 per cent pay cut, as reported by GB News Politics.

Ahead of the May 7 votes, Mr Shrivastava explicitly stated: “If elected Mayor, I will take a 20 per cent pay cut. When the council is looking to make £50million in cuts over the next two years, it’s only right that we display leadership on this issue.”

“Donation” Plan Raises Eyebrows

Council documents, seen by The Standard and reported by GB News Politics, indicate Mr Shrivastava has “the intention to donate 20 per cent of the Directly Elected Mayor’s allowance to food justice initiatives.” However, this is a donation of his increased salary, not a direct pay cut from the previous rate.

The pay increase was “recommended by the Independent Remuneration Panel,” according to council papers. Meanwhile, the salary for some cabinet members has been abolished, with all nine now receiving £28,811-a-year, up from £17,932, while general allowances for councillors remain at £13,201.

• Lewisham Mayor Liam Shrivastava’s salary increased by almost £5,000 to £93,575.
• This is a 5.4 per cent rise from his predecessor’s pay.
• He had promised a 20 per cent pay cut before the local elections.
• Council documents state an “intention to donate” 20 per cent of his allowance to charity.
• A spokesman from Lewisham Town Hall insisted the new salary rates would be “cost neutral.”

What This Means for Britain

This situation highlights a growing frustration among ordinary British people who feel politicians are out of touch with their struggles. While families face soaring costs, a mayor has seen his own pay rise after promising the opposite.

The pledge to donate a portion of the increased salary, rather than taking a direct pay cut, will strike many as a cynical move. It means the taxpayer is still funding a higher salary, regardless of where the mayor’s personal funds go.

This incident fuels the belief that the political class often says one thing to get elected and does another once in power. It undermines trust in local government and the promises made during election campaigns.

For working families struggling with council tax and energy bills, seeing a local leader’s salary increase after a promise of austerity is a bitter pill. It reinforces the idea that the system is rigged against them.

The claim of “cost neutrality” for the new salary rates will be scrutinised by residents. Many will question how a significant mayoral pay rise can be neutral when the council faces £50 million in cuts.

Share if you believe politicians should keep their promises to the public.

This article is a factual summary of reporting by GB News Politics. Full original story available on their website. All quotes directly attributed.

Source: GB News Politics | Breaking Brexit News