The deputy leader of Westminster Council has caused anger after claiming that a 'basic' first-job salary is in the region of £50,000 to £80,000.
The deputy leader of Westminster Council has caused anger after claiming that a ‘basic’ first-job salary pays in the region of £50,000 to £80,000.
Talking about housing the London, cllr Robert Davis said
“What we really need is affordable housing, not just social housing, for people who are in their first job, have just got a basic, simple job and a salary of £50,000 to £80,000 a year.”
Cllr Davis made the comments during an interview with a PR company that specialises in working with property developers.
In reality, anyone earning over £50,000 would be in the top 10 per cent of earners, and the top 30 per cent in Westminster. The average full-time employee in the UK earns £26,200 according to the latest figures from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, while the average basic graduate salary is between £27,000 – £29,000.
Fellow Westminster councillor David Boothroyd said it showed “the sections of society the council leadership is in touch with”.
“With everyone else, they’re not so much out of touch, as completely cut off,” Mr Boothroyd said.
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82 Responses to “Tory council leader believes ‘basic salary’ is 80k”
Tom Redgrave
It depends, clearly someone votes Tory if only people over 50 k i.e.. 10% population voted then they wouldn’t have got elected. It’s for my interests to vote Tory, that won’t stop me voting elsewhere. it’s philosophies if anything, he probably just has different values.
Tory bashing gets you nowhere, I don’t see the difference at the moment between Cameron and Blair they both suck up to Murdoch and act out the exact same policies.
Runesmith
Actually, I was hoping to have a serious discussion rather than swap insults, but I guess you screwed that pooch. Never mind.
David_Boothroyd
NB http://www.westendextra.com/news/2013/dec/xtra-diary-video-deputy-leader-%C2%A380000-salary-gaffe-draws-crowds
TM
I was actually agreeing with you! It’s only a forum mate, don’t take offence and just say your piece. I was being serious as well, with a little sarcasm thrown in for good measure! Why would anyone vote against their own interests??? Beats me. Perhaps a poor Tory voter might care to enlighten us…?
Yes Tom. But it seems arrogant all the same. That’s perhaps what irks many people not on 50 to 80k and won’t be no matter how hard they work.
Richard David Leaper
When I saw it I thought “maybe he said £15-£18k?” – and sure enough he did. He sounds like he has a cold (or maybe that’s just his voice) which would make the n at the end quiet. Just like in the rest of the interview snippet.
Another non-story for you lot to get angry about!! Need something though, don’t you?