Every week in the Sunday Times there is an article entitled "Fame and Fortune" where well-known people are interviewed about their financial affairs. As you can imagine, the kind of money talked about by these "celebrities" is in many cases almost beyond the comprehension of most people. I have often wondered why anyone would agree to talking publicly about such things as I've always been brought up to believe my financial affairs (and most other affairs involving my family) are private matters. I think for many well-off people, be it self-made or inherited wealth, there's a kind of kick to be had in talking to others about how much they've got.
A couple of weeks ago, however, Libby Lane, the Church of England's first female bishop, was the subject of the column, and what an eye opener it was. Lane read Theology at Oxford, is now 49 years old and has two children aged 21 and 19, whom she is helping with their further education. Her husband is a co-ordinating chaplain at Manchester Airport. Lane was consecrated as the Bishop of Stockport in 2015. She earns £33,000 a year and gives 10% of her income to charity. She has never had sufficient spare cash for investments or to buy her own home (she is provided with a place as part of her job, but presumably if or when she finishes, then that has to be given up).
Nevertheless, Lane considers herself "extraordinarily wealthy in all sorts of ways". In reply to the question what has been her most lucrative work, she cites her present job. Before that she was on a clergy's salary for 20 years. That paid £24,600 at the end. I think it's important to quote her full reply to the question "When did you first feel wealthy?" She replied "I feel extraordinarily wealthy in all sorts of ways. Even in financial terms I have extraordinary wealth compared with most people. I have more than enough money to be safe, fed, warm and for my children to be cared for. I have books, music, friends and, at the heart of all that, I have faith. That means neither my value nor that of anybody else is judged by their income or net worth".
I normally recycle all my newspapers but this article is being kept. I don't have "faith" like Libby, at least not in some God and most religions have a hell of a lot to answer for in all sorts of ways, but I'm not getting sidetracked on that. But the article about Libby reinforces in me something I have believed for a long time. And that is, once basic needs are satisfied, true wealth comes from simple things, not a bank balance. It doesn't come from looking at your share or property portfolios and getting off on how much you've made on them. It doesn't come from how much you've been able to save from your salary by screwing your expenses for all they are worth. It doesn't come from the new car you've bought and are swanking around in, the expensive holidays you've been able to afford and bore the tits off people showing them the photos at every dinner party or on social media, and it doesn't come from the over-priced food and wine you've guzzled in a fancy restaurant at a cost that would feed a normal person for a month.
When I see such indulgence and so many people worshipping money and material things, I often recall old Silas Marner, the Weaver of Raveloe. If you've never read it then do so. Because it's a salutary lesson to anyone that puts money first and people second. Other good books with messages in my opinion: A Christmas Carol, A Picture of Dorian Gray, The Great Gatsby, Animal Farm, A Bonfire of the Vanities.
I leave these facts, or rather comparisons, with you:
In NPT Council, basic Councillors get £13,300 for what is considered two and a half days of work. Cabinet members get about £29K, Peter Rees (Deputy Leader) £33.5K - so more than a bishop, and "Dear Leader" is allowed £48K though takes the same as Rees.
An MP's office manager is paid £38K a year, £5K more than a bishop.
In 2014/15 Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead was paid £40,500 in allowances from the House of Lords to supplement her already substantial public sector pensions. Tax-free. She went there 135 days for that. And she didn't have to work Sundays, unlike the Bishop. Of course, the Windbag would have pulled in similar. The Baroness made £7.5K more than the bishop - but pocketed all her £40,500.
Wales AMs will have an 18.5% payrise in the new administration, putting them on £64,000, just about twice what Libby Lane is paid. Plus expenses, naturally.
Westminster MPs are now on £74,962 per year. Nearly £42K more than the bishop.
Peter Hain was being paid about £5K more than Libby Lane for a measly 12 days' work for Amara Mining.
Prince Charles' net profit from the Duchy of Cornwall - it would take him 15 hours to earn Libby Lane's annual salary.
The world's a crazy place. It's almost the greater the worth you are to humanity the less you are rewarded (financially). The more of a waste of space you are, the more shall ye be rewarded. It's Animal Farm repeated in real life. The pigs shall inherit the earth, isn't that right, Bishop?
