A Former Cabinet Secretary has Stated that a £200,000 Salary for the Role is Insufficient.

Former cabinet secretary Lord O’Donnell believes the top civil servant role, with a £200,000 salary, is “massively underpaid.” He is currently part of the recruitment process for the position, following Simon Case’s resignation due to health issues.

Lord O’Donnell, who served as cabinet secretary from 2005 to 2011, told the BBC that the job’s responsibilities, such as advising the prime minister and managing senior civil servants, warrant higher pay. He described it as an “incredibly demanding” role.

Senior civil servant salaries are set by the government based on recommendations from the independent Senior Salaries Review Body. Recruitment to replace Simon Case, who is stepping down due to a neurological condition, is ongoing.

Lord O’Donnell emphasized the need for the new cabinet secretary to have a strong working relationship with the prime minister’s chief of staff, previously Sue Gray. Gray resigned from her role and will become the PM’s envoy for nations and regions. She had been involved in a salary dispute after reports revealed she earned more than the prime minister.