Unnecessary Jobs in HS2 Andy Silvester Communications Director, TaxPayers’ Alliance July 2015
A
Freedom of Information request submitted by the TaxPayers’ Alliance has exposed the number of lobbyists, spin doctors and green staff employed by HS2 Limited.
Comparison of Annual Reports has also shown that the average salary at HS2 Ltd has increased by more than £20,000 between 2011/121 and 2014/152 - from £35,671 to £56,200 .
The key findings of this research are: • There were at least 32 people employed by HS2 Limited in unnecessary jobs, at a total cost of £1.5 million. • HS2 Limeted Employed – At least 8 PR staff - £326,756 – At least 13 environmental staff - £610,710 – Director of Corporate Affairs - £99,356 – Organisation Effectiveness Business Change Advisor - £57,966 – Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion - £76,916 – Head of Community and Stakeholder Engagement - £65,853 – Climate Change Manager - £44,832 - and a Climate Change Advisor - £32,408 It is worth noting that this figure is almost certainly an understatement. HS2 Ltd did not reveal how many people are employed with these job titles, but did note that multiple people are employed in many of the roles listed below. Salaries listed in Table 1 are the median salary for the salary band attached to the job title. The banding was provided by HS2 Ltd via our Freedom of Information Request.
1 High
2 High
Speed Two Limited, Financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2012 Speed Two Limited, Annual Report and Accounts 2014/15
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Table 1: All High Speed Two Limited non jobs
Job title
Grade
Salary (£)
Director of Corporate Affairs
23
99356
Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
20
76916
Head of Corporate Comms
19
65854
Head of Internal Comms
19
65854
Head of Environment
19
65854
Head of Media Relations
19
65854
Head of Public Affairs
19
65854
Head of Community and Stakeholder Engagement
19
65854
Organisation Effectiveness Business Change Advisor
18
57966
Deputy Head of Environment
18
57966
Senior Environment Manager
17
50506
Area Community and Stakeholder Managers
17
50506
Sustainable Construction Manager
17
50506
Sustainability Manager
17
50506
Climate Change Manager
16
44832
Internal Communications Manager
16
44832
Biodiversity Manager
16
44832
Environmental Assessment Leeds
16
44832
Environmental water specialist
16
44832
Senior Press Officer
15
38587
Public Affairs Manager
15
38587
Internal Communications Executive
14
36388
Press Officer
14
36388
Climate Change Adviser
13
32408
Environment Adviser
13
32408
Environment Ecology Adviser
13
32408
Environmental Policy Development and Governance Adviser Community and Stakeholders Adivser
13
32408
13
32408
Assistant Press Officer
12
28662
Public Affairs Assistant
11
26412
Communications Assistant
11
26412
Environment Assistant
11
26412
Tax per holidaymaker
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1,533,400
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Table 2: Median salary paid to staff in HS2 Limited
Financial Year
Median Salary (£)
Change since 2011/12 (£)
Change since 2011/12 (%) (£)
2011/12
35,671
0
0
2012/13
43,700
8,029
23
2013/14
46,460
10,789
30
2014/15
56,200
20,529
58
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