Public sector salaries in the spotlight

Big increase in the number paid £50,000+

Pay rises are the primary reason for increases in expenditure on public sector salaries over £50,000 in the last five years.

That's according to Policy and Reform Minister Chris Thomas, who said there's been a net increase of 131 people earning over that amount since 2011.

He answered a raft of questions from Onchan MHK Julie Edge in the House of Keys.

Mrs Edge quizzed the minister on the increase in the number of salaries over £50,000, the amount spent on salaries under that mark, and whether pay awards would be achieved without increases in expenditure.

Mr Thomas replied that £210 million was spent on salaries below £50,000 in 2015/16 compared to £208 million in 2010/11.

He explained the government's cost control policy is to cap an increase in employee costs at 1% and if departments wish to pay above the cap, they must make savings accordingly.

The minister said government would continue to look at the effectiveness of existing budgetary policies.