Green mayor hikes own salary by £5,000 despite vowing pay cut before election

Lewisham’s new Green mayor has increased his salary by almost £5,000 — just weeks after vowing to take a 20% pay cut if elected. Liam Shrivastava will now earn £93,575 a year, a 5.4% rise on the £88,743 paid to his Labour predecessor. Before the local elections on 7 May, Shrivastava declared: “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.” The new mayor has instead instructed the town hall to deduct one-fifth of his salary each month and donate it to “food justice” charities. “My allowance increased in line with recommendations from the Independent Remuneration Panel and was agreed by council,” he said. “Combined with other changes to the cabinet structure, the changes are cost neutral and will not cost taxpayers a penny more.” The pay structure was voted through without debate at a full council meeting in May. Shrivastava’s deputy will continue to receive £45,735. A higher tier cabinet salary of £45,735 was abolished; all nine cabinet members now receive £28,811, up from £17,932. General councillor allowances remain at £13,201. London Liberal Democrat spokesman Luke Taylor said: “It’s no surprise the Greens are being found out for their empty campaign promises, but even I didn’t think it would happen so quickly. Local politics is built on trust, and for so many people who hoped for a fresh start after May 7, to have that trust chipped away within a fortnight will be devastating.” Shrivastava’s pay rise comes after the Greens seized control of Lewisham, Hackney and Waltham Forest from Labour in a historic election night that also saw Labour lose flagship boroughs Westminster, Barnet and Wandsworth to the Tories and no overall control.