The new Green Party mayor of Lewisham, Liam Shrivastava, has increased his salary by almost £5,000 despite having vowed to take a 20% pay cut ahead of the local elections. Mr Shrivastava will now receive £93,575 per year, up from the £88,743 paid to his Labour predecessor—a rise of 5.4%. He has stated that he will donate a fifth of his salary to "food justice" charities and has instructed the town hall to make the deduction monthly.
Broken Promise?
Before the local elections on May 7, Mr Shrivastava said: "If elected Mayor, I will take a 20% pay cut. When the council is looking to make £50 million in cuts over the next two years, it's only right that we display leadership on this issue." While in opposition, the Green Party had proposed a 20% pay cut for the mayor and senior cabinet members to help reverse over £2 million in planned cuts to local services. A party spokesperson pointed to campaign leaflets that stated Mr Shrivastava would take a "20% pay cut" to fund "food justice work in the borough."
New Pay Structure
Mr Shrivastava's deputy will continue to receive £45,735. A higher tier salary for some cabinet members of £45,735 was abolished, and all nine cabinet members will now be paid £28,811 per year, up from £17,932. General allowances for councillors remain at £13,201. The new pay structure was approved without debate at a full council meeting in May. Mr Shrivastava explained: "My allowance increased in line with recommendations from the Independent Remuneration Panel. Combined with other changes, the changes are cost neutral and will not cost taxpayers a penny more. I consistently said I would donate part of my allowance to food justice work, and I have asked the council's payroll to apply the 20% deduction each month."
Political Reaction
London Liberal Democrat spokesman Luke Taylor criticised the move: "It's no surprise the Greens are being found out for their empty campaign promises. Local politics is built on trust, and for so many people who hoped for a fresh start, to have that trust chipped away within a fortnight will be devastating." The Greens made historic gains in London, seizing control of Lewisham, Hackney, and Waltham Forest from Labour, and later took control of Lambeth and Haringey.
