Local authority leaders have defended local government salaries exceeding six figures, arguing it is important to attract the ‘right people’.
The number of town hall bosses on salaries over £150,000 rose to 1,092 in 2023-24, while those receiving over £200,000 increased from 175 to 262, according to the TaxPayers’ Alliance.
The campaign group’s Town Hall Rich List 2025 also revealed that 3,906 officials received more than £100,000 in the same year.
The chief executive at Glasgow city council received £567,317 in total remuneration. This included £209,472 in salary and £357,845 in pension contributions.
John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, commented: ‘Local residents can look up their own authority in our list and judge the quality of services and their council tax bill against the pay packets of their council bosses.’
A spokesperson for the Local Government Association said that senior pay was decided by democratically elected councillors in an ‘open and transparent way.’
They added: ‘Councils are large, complex organisations with sizable budgets and responsibility for delivering hundreds of vital services. It is important that the right people with the right skills and experience are retained to deliver this work.’
