Quarter of HS2 staff paid over £100,000 despite spending concerns

A quarter of staff working on HS2 are earning over £100,000 amid concerns over spending, according to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request published in The Times.

The ROI request reveals that HS2 paid 318 officials at least £100,000 in salary and perks last year, up from 155 in 2015-16. HS2 has 1,346 staff, meaning that 24% of employees now enjoy a six-figure remuneration package including salary, bonus and any pension contributions from the company.

Additionally, 112 staff receive more than £150,000 a year, with 15 earning more than £251,000 a year.

Christian Wolmar, a transport expert and author, is reported in The Times as suggesting the high pay is the result of a struggle to attract talent. “They are basically paying over the odds to get people to work there,” he said.