Tory Health Minister Returns to Department After Pocketing £8,000 in Severance Pay
Controversial Severance Pay Situation
In a controversial move, Maria Caulfield, a Tory Health Minister, received £7,920 in severance pay after being removed from her Government position following Liz Truss’s appointment as Prime Minister in September 2022. However, Caulfield was re-appointed as a Health Minister just seven weeks later by Rishi Sunak, leading to scrutiny over her retention of the pay-out.
Liberal Democrats Demand Repayment
The Liberal Democrats have called for Caulfield, the Lewes MP, to return the money after it was disclosed in the Department for Health and Social Care’s annual report. Lib Dem Chief Whip Wendy Chamberlain criticized the situation, emphasizing that while technically permissible, it goes against the spirit of regulations surrounding severance payments.
Contested Severance Payment Policies
The incident has sparked wider debate on the appropriateness of severance pay regulations for ministers. Recent attempts to tighten the rules, which would have halted payments to ministers rejoining the government, were blocked by the Tories. This decision follows a period of significant severance payouts during the transitions between Boris Johnson’s administration and the subsequent appointments of Truss and Sunak.
Labour’s Proposed Reforms
Labour sought to reform the system through an Opposition Day Debate, advocating for a reduction in severance payouts based on actual earnings over the previous 12 months. Their proposal aimed to prevent short-serving ministers from claiming large sums in severance pay, particularly targeting those returning to ministerial roles or facing misconduct allegations.
Call for Urgent System Reform
The political landscape remains divided on the issue of severance payments, with growing calls for urgent reform to ensure accountability and transparency in ministerial transitions. The controversy surrounding Caulfield’s case has reignited discussions on the need for comprehensive revisions to existing policies.
FAQs
What was Maria Caulfield’s severance pay amount?
Maria Caulfield received £7,920 in severance pay after being removed from her Government role.
Who demanded that Maria Caulfield return the severance pay?
The Liberal Democrats, particularly Lib Dem Chief Whip Wendy Chamberlain, called for Caulfield to hand back the received cash.
What were the proposed reforms by the Labour party regarding severance payments?
Labour proposed a significant reduction in severance payouts for ministers, based on their actual earnings over the previous 12 months, aiming to prevent excessive payments for short-serving ministers.