Unless this economy hits another thud - which remains very likely - no real change will ever happen with this pampered bunch. They're convinced that they are worth it and when leading political figures run to make millions from them after leaving office, it's no surprise that nothing is changing in terms of pay. Why would our political leaders deprive themselves of their retirement plan? Well, retirement plan that is in addition to the one taxpayers already funded. They really are despicable. Bankers too.
The heads of Britain's biggest banks are enjoying salaries far in excess of other leading chief executives - in spite of the recession. In fact, according to new research, the annual take-home pay of some senior bankers is larger now than it was before the credit crunch triggered the run on Northern Rock in September 2007.
The revelation is likely to further anger members of the public and MPs who have expressed concern about remuneration levels in the City.
A report last week by the treasury select committee claimed that the bonus culture among banks had encouraged a "lethal combination of reckless and excessive risk-taking". But according to a Channel 4 Dispatches programme to be screened tomorrow night, the basic pay of leading bankers has defied the economic downturn.
The programme claims that, historically, bank bosses have been paid the same as their FTSE 100 peers, but in the past 10 years their salaries have outstripped them. Research conducted for Dispatches reveals that, in 2008, bank bosses earned an average of £255,000 a year more than their FTSE 100 peers.
