DCLG ministers are sticking to their campaign against senior council salaries despite this week's report from Will Hutton calling for an end to ‘arbitrary' comparisons with the pay of the Prime Minister.

A source close to communities secretary Eric Pickles told The MJ: ‘Our stance stays the same. Top salaries have increased faster than entry level, chief executives on £200,000 should take a 10% pay cut and those on £150,000 a 5% pay cut. At the highest level salaries for new entrants should be no more than £142,000, the pay of the Prime Minister.'