While he is finally stepping down from his roles as prime minister and Conservative party leader, Boris Johnson plans on staying in his role until the new candidate is announced, which could be as late as autumn 2022.
The Eton-educated politician has seen his party fall apart in recent weeks, with over 50 ministers and aids resigning from their roles due to his inability to step down sooner.
Numerous fellow MPs claimed they could no longer stand by his decisions after the Chris Pincher scandal when a letter claimed Mr Johnson knew about allegations about the deputy chief whip before appointing him in that position.
Although he will soon have to find a new job, the prime minister has enjoyed three years on a salary many could only dream of—particularly amid a cost of living crisis. Here’s everything you need to know about his earnings.
How much does Prime Minister Boris Johnson earn as a salary?
When it comes to solely his salary, Prime Minister Boris Johnson earns an annual salary of £164,080.
This is split between two titles: the first is his earnings of £79,936 as prime minister and the other is an income of £84,144 annually for being an MP.
Mr Johnson took over from former Tory party leader Theresa May in 2019, who earnt a combined salary of £153,907 – just over £10,000 less.
As well as his salary, he and his wife Carrie Johnson have the right to live in the flat above the 10 Downing Street offices in the heart of London.
The pair have also had access to the Chequers residences in Buckinghamshire, where they plan on throwing a final lavish party to celebrate their party before the PM leaves his role in months.
Who sets the salary of the Prime Minister and other politicians?
The salary of the Prime Minister, be it Boris Johnson or any who were before him – and whoever is elected after him – is decided by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA).
The House of Commons Information Office states: “Government ministers, the Speaker of the House of Commons and Deputy Speakers, as well as the Leader of the Opposition and Opposition Chief and Deputy Chief Whips are entitled to a salary in addition to their salaries as Members of Parliament.”
While salaries are usually updated annually, depending on “the average increase in the mid-points of the Senior Civil Service pay bands”, Mr Johnson declared that MPs or government ministers should not be receiving pay rises in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic.
Despite people across the UK struggling amid the cost of living crisis and skyrocketing energy bill prices, MPs received a pay rise of £2,212 with salaries being hiked from £81,932 to £84,144 from April 1, 2022.
