Councils ‘told to name their high earners’

Local authorities are to be ordered to take the step by Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles, according to the Daily Telegraph.

He is trying to increase public scrutiny of councils’ expenditure so that town hall bosses think more carefully about their spending priorities at a time when budgets are being slashed and services reduced.

Council spending on middle managers has risen by more than 20 per cent over the past three years to more than £2.4 billion.

Mr Pickles was quoted as saying: “The taxpayer has a right to look under the bonnet of their council and see what decisions are being made on their behalf and where their money is being spent.

“I asked all councils to put online everything they spend over £500 and the majority have had the good sense to do so.

“Today I’m publishing a new code that will take councils to the next level, bringing middle management into the daylight and giving those not ready to open up a clear game plan to follow.

“Transparency must be the underlying principle behind everything councils do. Every aspect of council business should be open to public scrutiny including top money, middle management, councillor expenses, audit results, voluntary sector funding – it can help save money in tough times.