Finance and Public Service Minister Dr Nigel Clarke announced an over 200 per cent increase in the salaries paid to Cabinet Members and Parliamentarians. This he justifies by noting that all other public sector leaderships have seen massive 200 to 300 per cent increases over time except for the political directorate despite being urged to make the public sector more attractive to young minds. 

It has been decades since the politicians, serving in crucial roles have received a pay raise, despite their permanent secretaries allegedly seeing multiple increases since the 1980s. 

The Finance Minister made the case for the politicians insisting if the countries are to retain or attract the best to service in these crucial roles, it is prudent to improve the salary packages. He says the expert consultants from Ernst and Young agree they remain too far below the shifting pay levels, and as such … It is a payday many before him had touted but brushed aside in some cases for fear of earning the ire of the people long denied increases due to the public debt and deficit. However, recent surpluses in the budget and fiscal prudence have made it possible. He notes the house speaker will be compensated at the level of the Cabinet Ministers; the Parliamentary secretary benchmarked at 75 per cent of the Cabinet Minister 

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