Michelle Donelan, who quit after just one full day in the role, has asked not to take the cash and will donate the entire amount to charity if she does. She is one of 28 former ministers who resigned or were sacked in the coup against Boris Johnson and are set to receive a total of £240,000 in severance pay. Opposition MPs are urging those who will benefit to opt out of the payments at a time when millions of families across the UK are facing a cost-of-living squeeze. Members of the Government who leave their positions are automatically legally entitled to a golden farewell worth a quarter of their ministerial salary. Ms Donelan was promoted to education secretary late on Tuesday afternoon following the shock resignation of Sajid Javid, which started the revolt against the prime minister.
Donelan’s temporary elevation to cabinet increased her pay
But just 35 hours later, after failing to convince Johnson that she should step aside for a new leader, she felt she had no choice but to abdicate herself in the national interest. He had previously served as universities minister for two years and would have been entitled to £7,920 in severance pay when he left that post. But her temporary cabinet promotion has boosted her pay significantly, meaning she is now in line for a much bigger £16,876. The MP for Chippenham, Wiltshire, told the Telegraph she did not want the money and asked officials if there was a way to stop the payment. She added that if that wasn’t possible, she would give it all to a local charity in her constituency, although she hadn’t yet decided which one. Ms Donelan was the shortest-serving minister in British history, breaking a record of 239 years and four days set during Pitt the Younger’s government. She said giving up her dream job was “extremely difficult” and that she was aware of the “moral imperative to prioritize young people as they head towards their exams”. Five cabinet ministers quit during the coup against Johnson, while a sixth, Michael Gove, was sacked. They will receive £16,876 each. Seven mid-level ministers who also resigned are in line for £7,920 each, while 15 from the lowest ranks are entitled to £5,594.
“Infighting and incompetence cost the taxpayer”
Opposition MPs are now calling on those Conservatives who resigned to forfeit the payments or follow Ms Donelan’s lead and donate them to charity. Wendy Chamberlain, Lib Dem leader, said: “Party infighting and sheer incompetence have cost the taxpayer even more money during this cost of living crisis.” Rupa Hook, a Labor MP, called on the government to confirm that former ministers would not get the cash “because we don’t reward failure”. Mr Johnson on Thursday appointed a host of new cabinet and junior ministers, despite already announcing he was stepping down as prime minister.
