The new recruit could earn as much as £200,000 – significantly more than Sir Keir Starmer (Image: GETTY)
The UK Government is recruiting a new Permanent Secretary for and International Economic Affairs on a salary of up to £200,000, more than £35,000 more than Sir , it has been revealed.
The news prompted Brexiteers to launched a stinging broadside, with Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe claiming it proved the Prime Minister was “clinging to his europhile tendencies” – although the Government insists the move will help “strengthen ties” with the bloc.
The advert, carried in the civil service jobs section of the , is an SCS Pay Band 4 position with a salary ranging from £153,000 to £200,000. It also comes with a civil service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
Should the successful applicant be employed on the higher amount, that would mean they would be earning £35,049 more than Sir Keir.
According to the latest figures from the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) and the UK Cabinet Office, the Labour leader earns £164,951. This comprises an MP’s salary of £86,584 and an additional payment for serving as Prime Minister of £78,367.
The saga is reminiscent of that which erupted when it was revealed that Sue Gray, who briefly served as the Downing Street chief of staff, also earned more than the PM. She has since resigned from her role.
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Rupert Lowe is the Reform UK MP for Great Yarmouth (Image: Getty)
The advertisement describes the role as “leading the Government’s relationship with the (EU), working closely with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, EU counterparts, and the devolved administrations, and overseeing the team working on international economic affairs”.
During the general election campaign Sir Keir outlined his ambition to “reset” relations with Brussels and the job is described as being that of “principal adviser to the Prime Minister and the Minister for relations on matters relating to relations with the EU and delivering the ‘EU reset’ and on international economic issues”.
Lowestoft MP Mr Lowe was deeply unimpressed, telling Express.co.uk: “It’s staggering that is still clinging on to his europhile tendencies and wasting hundreds of thousands of pounds in the process.
“With tax rises being felt across the board by British people and business, and a pro-UK President returning to the White House, taxpayer money should not be spent like this.”
Former Tory Home Secretary Priti Patel (Image: Getty)
He added: “Labour should cut their pro-EU fantasies and do what’s best for the British people, that’s ensuring a close relationship with the US and ensuring taxpayer money isn’t wasted.”
Dr Lee Rotherham, who was director of special projects in the Vote Leave campaign, said: “Sir is recruiting someone to go make friends with Brussels.
“Yet the job spec makes it clear they are after a Whitehall insider with years of working in Brussels.”
Referring to a term meaning personal representative of a head of state, Mr Rotherham continued: “No Eurosceptic or Brexiteer will get past the sift. The advert says ‘sherpa’ but they’re really looking for an Abominable Snowman.”
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Sir Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (Image: Getty)
“With a hundred staff under him, this new satrap will create a new power bloc at the heart of Whitehall.”
The decision to recruit for such a role could not come at a worse time, Mr Rotherham claimed.
He explained: “2026 is the trigger date to review the UK-EU treaty, and the current deal including UK’s fishing quotas will be under threat, as well as the UK’s independent defence industry.
“Whoever gets picked to run this Whitehall fief could casually sell UK sectors out in these talks, because Labour’s mass of MPs won’t lift a finger to stop him.
“Chagos Islands given up today, British fishermen tomorrow.
Rupert Lowe believes the UK should be prioritising relations with the US and Donald Trump (Image: Getty)
“This panjandrum will be paid almost as much as the Prime Minister. Plus there’s a generous pension contribution, enough to cover a Police sergeant’s salary. Nice job if you can get it.”
The Government’s move has already been blasted by former Home Secretary Priti Patel, who, speaking at the weekend, accused the Government of “arrogantly capitulating to the EU”.
The post will oversee the UK discussions with the EU as well as the G7 and G20.
A Government spokesperson said: “We will work to reset the relationship with our European friends to strengthen ties, secure a broad-based security pact and tackle barriers to trade.
“We have been clear that there will be no return to the customs union, single market or freedom of movement.”