§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the current salary, plus bonuses and other expenses, paid to the head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service; what is the amount paid on the same basis to an administrative officer; and how each will be affected by the proposed annual increases. [HL1432]
§ Baroness AmosThe remuneration levels of senior departmental officials including the head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service are shown in the respective departmental accounts, except where an individual exercises their right, by virtue of the Data Protection Act, to withhold consent to publication. Copies of those accounts are available in the Library.
The head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service is a member of the Senior Civil Service. The pay for the Senior Civil Service is determined by the Government following receipt of the Senior Salaries Review Body report. In 2003–04 the Senior Civil Service was awarded salary increases of between 2¼ per cent and 9 per cent with the vast majority of increases being up to 5 per cent. From 1 April 2003, the pay scale for an administrative officer in the 11 departments of the Northern Ireland Administration is £10,723 to 185WA £15,383. Under the terms of the 2003 pay award, which is worth 3.67 per cent overall, the majority of administrative officers in the 11 departments of the Northern Ireland Administration will see their pay increase between 2.3 per cent and 5.8 per cent. Those who are already on the maximum of the pay scale will receive a non-consolidated payment worth 2 per cent of their existing salary. In addition, staff whose performance is more than satisfactory will receive an additional bonus payment of £140 or £250.