Wessex Water chief pockets above-inflation pay rise despite bonus ban over sewage spills
The News
Wessex Water increased CEO Ruth Jefferson's base salary by 14% to £670,000, despite a ban on bonuses due to sewage spills. The raise far exceeded the 3.5% given to workers, making her pay 18 times the median employee. The total pay packet reached £791,000. Critics, including a union representative, condemned the increase as excessive.
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The Analysis
Intelligence Brief
Analyzed · High confidence (85%)
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Union says public ‘sick of obscene pay’
Jefferson's pay is 18 times that of the company’s median employee.
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Key findings
A union spokesperson said the public is 'sick of obscene pay' and accused bosses of 'feathering own nests'.
Opinion- Union says public ‘sick of obscene pay’
- Perception of bosses ‘feathering own nests’
Trust Breakdown
Plain English
Loaded language removed<p>CEO’s pay packet surges to £791,000 as union says public ‘sick of obscene pay’ and bosses ‘feathering own nests’</p><p>Wessex Water awarded its chief executive an above-inflation pay increase even as the company was banned from paying bonuses because of sewage spills, it has emerged.</p><p>Ruth Jefferson received a 14% base salary increase in October, from £590,000 to £670,000, before other benefits, according to accounts published this month.
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Claims
A union spokesperson said the public is 'sick of obscene pay' and accused bosses of 'feathering own nests'.
OpinionWessex Water awarded its chief executive an above-inflation pay increase.
The GuardianThe company was banned from paying bonuses because of sewage spills.
The GuardianCEO Ruth Jefferson received a 14% base salary increase in October, from £590,000 to £670,000.
The GuardianThe salary increase was far above the 3.5% given to workers.
The GuardianJefferson's pay is 18 times that of the company’s median employee.
The GuardianThe CEO's total pay packet surged to £791,000.
The Guardian