Anger as 539 council bosses paid more than PM Theresa May

At least 2,300 council employees in England and Wales are earning six-figure salaries, according to research from the TaxPayers' Alliance.

The group, which campaigns for smaller government and lower taxes, claims the number of public sector workers being paid in excess of £100,000 a year is increasing.

It said 539 of these employees received packages worth more than £150,000 in 2015/16 - more than Prime Minister Theresa May.

That group saw an increase of 53 compared to the previous year.

John O'Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said the high pay levels are "disappointing" given council tax bills are increasing and local services are being cut.

"Despite many in the public sector facing a much-needed pay freeze to help bring the public finances under control, many town hall bosses are continuing to pocket huge remuneration packages, with the number of people on six-figure deals actually going up since last year," he said.

"There are talented people in the public sector who are trying to deliver more for less, but the sheer scale of these packages raises serious questions about efficiency and priorities."

Southwark Council in London was the local authority which had the most employees on six-figure salaries - with 44 staff taking home more than £100,000 a year.

The figures also reveal Dave Smith, the former chief executive of Sunderland City Council, was the local government employee with the largest total pay package in 2015/16.

He received £625,570 - including a pay-off worth £185,470 and pension contributions of £331,414.

The TaxPayers' Alliance warned its figure of 2,314 six-figure earners was "likely to be an understatement" because councils present their remuneration data inconsistently.

Councillor Claire Kober, who chairs the Local Government Association's resources board, said councils are "committed to providing value for money to taxpayers" - and incoming chief executives are being paid considerably less than their predecessors.

But she added: "It is important that the right people with the right skills and experience are retained to deliver this work.

"The pay of senior council staff is set by politically proportionate committees of elected councillors and is open to a high level of scrutiny and democratic accountability as a result."

A spokesman for the Department of Communities and Local Government said: "Whilst it's a matter for individual local authorities, ministers have been clear that they expect them to show restraint from excessive pay rises, especially when it comes to senior staff.

"We've taken steps to make sure councils are more transparent on how they set pay and can be held accountable by local residents."