DEFENCE Secretary Michael Portillo was condemned on radio by a constituent trying to raise three children on £2.85 an hour while the Cabinet minister could earn up to £103,000-a-year after the election. MPs, acting on the advice of the Senior Salaries Review Body, last summer voted themselves pay rises which boosted a backbencher's pay to £43,000 and a Cabinet minister's to £103,000 after May 1st. The constituent wanted to know why he was not offered the same choice, and a £4 minimum wage.
"Why do you not agree with a minimum wage, Mr Portillo, bearing in mind you awarded yourself a 28 per cent pay rise and you're on £69,000 or £70,000 a year and I'm on £2.85 an hour. Tell me how you can justify that," said Mr Johnson.
Mr Portillo said he was against the minimum wage because he was "trying to save jobs".