Cameron tells Pirelli staff: ‘Many paid more than me’

This was a stage managed visit by the Prime Minister, David Cameron, to the Pirelli tyre factory in Carlisle. Basically the press were kept in a small room ahead of the alleged grilling but we were limited to one pre-approved question. The workers got the chance to ask more questions than we did and it has got worse since then – I mean we are in an age when the current Prime Minister prefers to hide in a fridge rather than face questions from breakfast telly. So much for holding the powers that be to account eh?

DAVID Cameron says it’s unfair that Cumbria County Council’s chief executive is paid more than him.

The Prime Minister faced a question about the wage of outgoing Jill Stannard when he was quizzed by workers at Carlisle’s Pirelli tyre factory.

There has been widespread criticism since it was announced earlier this week that the top civil servant is taking early retirement from her £170,000-a-year post, pocketing a lucrative payoff and throwing the spotlight on highly paid officials.

Asked whether he thought it was fair that council chiefs such as Mrs Stannard received a salary bigger than his, he replied: “Not really, no.” He added later: “It’s surprising to see how many people are paid more than me.”

Mr Cameron also faced questions about Cumbria’s crime commissioner Richard Rhodes and the arrests which followed details about his expenses being leaked.

More positively, he hailed the success of Carlisle’s Pirelli plant, where multimillion pound investments are being made, as a model for other firms to follow.

£142,500 Cameron: It’s surprising to see just how many people are paid more than me

PM calls for pay restraint at top

PRIME Minister David Cameron condemned the high salaries of senior council officials during a visit to Carlisle.

He was talking to workers at the city’s Pirelli factory during a question and answer session.

Earlier this week it was revealed that Jill Stannard, the 55-year-old chief executive of Cumbria County Council, will be taking early retirement from her £170,000-a-year post next month.

Precise details of the deal have not so far been released because the decision is covered by a compromise agreement, but it is understood that it involves a lump sum, payment in lieu of notice as well as top-up contributions to the council’s pension fund.

One worker asked Mr Cameron whether he thought it was fair that Mrs Stannard received such a high salary – more than his own. The Prime Minister replied: “Not really, no.”

He added that he was very privileged to be Prime Minister and he loved his job. He said: “It’s surprising to see how many people are paid more than me.”

Mr Cameron said that wages had drifted higher and higher over the past decade and now we had a problem with levels of pay. He said: “It’s one of the ways we could reduce spending in this country.”

He added that local authorities needed to think more when looking for areas to make savings – such as neighbouring councils, and even the police service, sharing chief executives.

“We need to get government to think more like business,” Mr Cameron said.

When asked about the current investigation over the leaking of details of Cumbria’s police and crime commissioner’s expenses, where three people have been arrested, he said it was an operational matter decided by the chief constable.

But he added that whistleblowers should still be allowed to bring forward information where there were concerns. He said: “We have to be careful. As I understand it the police and crime commissioner didn’t order the arrests – it’d be wrong if he did.”

Just days after he was asked about the issue in Parliament, Mr Cameron said itwas the responsibility of the chief constable to make decisions regarding investigations and it was important that independence was retained.

Pressure has continued to mount on commissioner Richard Rhodes, a Conservative, after details of his expenses were leaked.

Mr Rhodes publicly apologised for spending £700 on trips in a chauffeur-driven Mercedes to two functions and has since paid the money back.

The subsequent investigation, which was sparked when staff from his office raised concerns over the leak, has resulted in the three arrests including two civilian police workers.

Despite Mr Rhodes’ attempts to defend his actions, the row has escalated even further, with some MPs calling for his resignation and other politicians saying the police staff under investigation for the leak should be applauded for their actions.

Pirelli hailed as a shining example

CARLISLE ’S Pirelli factory has been held up as an example of how the country’s crippled economy can be nursed back to health.

The boast was made by Prime Minister David Cameron after he met workers and was given a guided tour of the factory yesterday.

Pirelli’s Carlisle operation is prospering despite the country’s slow recovery from recession with multi-million pound expansion plans.

The Italian giant, founded in 1870, is the world’s fifth largest tyre manufacturer – with 22 facilities worldwide which employ a total of 37,000 workers.

The Carlisle plant, which is one of two in the UK, opened in 1968 and currently employs 756 people.

Management at Pirelli are committed to investments of £9m and £11.4m in the city.

The Prime Minister spoke to workers during one of his direct question and answer sessions and said he was pleased to be there. He added: “It’s great to be here.

“I am really delighted to see Pirelli and the work you are doing. It’s what our country needs more of.”

Mr Cameron said that Britain was producing more cars than ever before and there would be a demand for Pirelli’s products.

He said that when the current coalition administration took over the economy was unbalanced but progress was being made. “We ’ve still got a lot of work to do. Things are tough for families,” he said.

PM’s praise for Eddie

CUMBRIA County Council has been praised by Prime Minister David Cameron for the work it has carried out over the past four years.

He issued a rallying cry for voters to turn out at next Thursday’s county council elections during a visit to Carlisle ’s Pirelli factory.

Tory leader Mr Cameron stopped off in Carlisle as part of the campaign ahead of the poll. No party holds a majority for outright control of the authority which is run by a rare Conservative/Labour coalition.

Mr Cameron praised the council’s Conservative leader Eddie Martin, who will retire at the election, saying: “Eddie and his team have done a good job.”

He added: “I’d encourage people to get out and vote at this election. It matters who runs this county and sets your council tax.”

Labour Party leader Ed Miliband visited Carlisle last month, ahead of the electioneering officially getting underway and UKIP leader Nigel Farage has been campaigning in the city.

From the Carlisle News & Star on Saturday, April 27, 2013.