HC Deb 09 March 1999 vol 327 cc201-2W
Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average pay for chief executives of NHS trusts for each of the last 10 years; and if he will list the pay of the five highest paid chief executives of NHS trusts for the year 1998–99. [75025]

Mr. Denham

The remuneration of chief executives of National Health Service trusts in England has been separately identified in trusts' annual reports since the 1994–95 financial year. 1998–1999 information will be available this August, when trusts have published their annual reports. Information on the average pay for Chief Executives' posts for the years 1994–95 to 1997–98 is as follows.

NHS Trusts (England)—Remuneration of Chief Executives
Average remuneration
Basic salary Total remuneration
1994–95 60,341 65,844
1995–96 64,237 69,757
1996–97 66,918 72,417
1997–98 71,527 76,621

Notes:

1.Information relating to the remuneration of NHS Trust Chief Executives was not collected centrally before 1994–95.

2.Total Remuneration comprises: basic salary, benefits, and performance related bonuses.

3.Remuneration relates to total remuneration of all office holders during year.

4.Average values are based on the number of NHS Trusts in each year; i.e. 1994–95 419, 1995–96 433, 1996–97 429, 1997–98 425.

5.In the years 1994–95, 1995–96 and 1997–98 reported figures were identified as both "Remuneration as Director" and as "Other Remuneration". To ensure consistency these figures have been aggregated as above.

6.Information for 1998–99 will be available in August 1999.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State wrote to NHS trusts and health authorities on 29 January 1998, stating that in-year pay rises of managerial staff should not exceed 2.7 per cent, in 1998–99. On 1 February 1999, the NHS Executive Chief Executive wrote to trust chief executives indicating that the Government does not expect to see senior managers being awarded increases out of line with the rest of the public service" in 1999–2000.