JACOB Rees-Mogg's ministerial salary has more than doubled after his demotion to Minister for Brexit Opportunities.
Rees-Mogg was entitled to a salary of £34,367 as Leader of the House of Commons but that has now risen to £71,673 in his new role. This will supplement the income he receives from his Cayman Islands linked investment firm, Saliston, which he relinquished directorship of in 2019.
The Rt Hon Jacob Rees-Mogg MP @Jacob_Rees_Mogg becomes Minister for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency at the @CabinetOfficeUK.
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) February 8, 2022
He will be a member of the Cabinet. pic.twitter.com/LdF68XT1zu
The new role was created in 2020 by Johnson as an amalgamation of various loosely connected briefs. The exact nature of the role is somewhat unclear as the UK Government website lists its responsibilities as blank.
However, the new role is said to link into the Government’s Brexit Opportunities Unit, which is focused on “making sure the policy, laws and regulations are helping to boost growth, drive forward innovation and increase competition in the UK”.
READ MORE: Boris Johnson quotes Lion King to No 10 staff after 'avalanche' of resignations
Regardless, the role is one of the best paid ministerial jobs in the Commons, with only the Prime Minister and Attorney General being entitled to more. This should go some way in rewarding Rees-Mogg's loyalty to Johnson as he falls victim to the Prime Minister’s most recent strategizing.
Removing Rees-Mogg from his position as Leader of the House of Commons may assuage calls for a more professional approach to Johnson’s leadership, after promising in the Commons to “make changes” to how he governs.
Following a disastrous few weeks in the media for Johnson, including a raft of resignations within No 10, he will hope that the reshuffle helps tighten his grip over his parliamentary colleagues.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel