Charities: Government Grants

Debate between Lord Hay of Ballyore and Lord Bridges of Headley

Wednesday 10th February 2016 Lords Chamber

[Lord Bridges of Headley]

And no, I did not know about this at that point.

[Lord Hay of Ballyore (DUP)]

My Lords, we have huge salaries being paid to senior charity staff right across the United Kingdom. Some of these staff are being paid more than the Prime Minister. How can that be justified at a time when many of these charities are struggling financially? Can I ask the Minister whether any of the money paid to charities from government grants goes towards salaries?

[Lord Bridges of Headley]

Part of the process that we are trying to ensure is that these grants are properly audited and that we know exactly where the money goes. Regarding the salaries that charities pay to their senior employees, that is obviously a matter for the charities, but I am sure that they will be noting the considerable public scrutiny that they are under—and rightly so.