HR chief embroiled in pay row as Tories reveal senior NHS pay hikes

NHS HR chief Clare Chapman received a pay rise of between 14% and 20% last year, according to figures released by the Conservative Party.

Chapman's pay jumped from about £205,000 in 2006-07 to at least £240,000 in 2007-08, according to Tory analysis of official Department of Health data.

The Conservatives said that the Department of Health's spending on the salaries of its board members increased by between 29% and 38% in 2007-08 to a maximum of more than £3.5m.

Meanwhile, nurses had to make do with a 1.9% pay award last year as the government stuck to its 2% limit on public sector pay rises.

A statement from the Department of Health insisted senior civil servants received a 2-3.5% basic pay increase in 2007-08 on the recommendation of the independent Review Body on Senior Salaries.

However, it added: "The individuals concerned also received performance-related bonuses under rules set out by the Cabinet Office."

Chapman took up her role as NHS director general of workforce in September 2006 after serving as group personnel director at Tesco.

In April, the government offered Nurses and other NHS workers a three-year pay deal worth 8%.