Anger over £440,000 ‘golden goodbye’ payments to EU top dogs Jean-Claude Juncker and Donald Tusk

Anger over £440,000 ‘golden goodbye’ payments to EU top dogs Jean-Claude Juncker and Donald Tusk when they stand down later this year

  • Juncker and Donald Tusk in line for nearly £440,000 in ‘golden goodbyes’
  • European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker can pocket £144,000
  • Donald Tusk is in line to rake in up to £288,000 for a ‘transitional allowance’ 
  • The pair will still be entitled to the handouts even if they secure new jobs 

Brussels was accused of ‘unacceptable greed’ last night as it emerged Jean-Claude Juncker and Donald Tusk are in line for nearly £440,000 in ‘golden goodbyes’.

The Eurocrats, whose terms finish in November, are entitled to the bumper severance payments after leaving office.

It means Mr Tusk, president of the European Council, is in line to rake in up to £288,000 for a ‘transitional allowance’, while European Commission chief Mr Juncker can pocket £144,000.

European Commission chief Mr Juncker can pocket £144,000. Last night the EU defended the payments, saying they ensure ‘a certain level of financial security’ after stepping down – but critics condemned the lavish packages

Mr Juncker, 64, missed out on a further £144,000 because he reaches pensionable age half-way through the two-year payout period.

The handouts begin the day after they leave office. The pair will still be entitled to the handouts even if they secure new jobs. The amounts will only be reduced if other incomes combined with the ‘golden goodbye’ exceed their current salary.

When other allowances are included, both presidents already receive more than £350,000-a-year in pay – £200,000 more than the UK Prime Minister’s salary.

The Mail can also reveal that Mr Juncker’s 28 commissioners – the next tier of officials, which include Britain’s Sir Julian King – will collectively be in line for more than £4.7million in ‘golden goodbyes’.

Mr Tusk, president of the European Council, is in line to rake in up to £288,000 for a 'transitional allowance'. The revelations come as Brussels demands that Britain pay a £39billion divorce bill even in the event of a No Deal

Mr Tusk, president of the European Council, is in line to rake in up to £288,000 for a ‘transitional allowance’. The revelations come as Brussels demands that Britain pay a £39billion divorce bill even in the event of a No Deal

The revelations come as Brussels demands that Britain pay a £39billion divorce bill even in the event of a No Deal.

Last night the EU defended the payments, saying they ensure ‘a certain level of financial security’ after stepping down – but critics condemned the lavish packages. 

Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith said: ‘Such payments and expensive privileges smack of an arrogant level of unacceptable greed.

‘People will rightly wonder if their actions show a policy of ‘I’m alright Jack’ permeating through the EU.’

Jacob Rees-Mogg said: ‘It seems odd to have ‘golden goodbyes’ for people in a fixed-term job. It is another example of EU extravagance paid for in part by the British taxpayer. It’s even more reason not to hand over the £39billion willy-nilly.’

The heads of the European Council and European Commission are entitled to receive 50 per cent of their current £24,000-a-month basic salary every month for two years after leaving office. 

However, Mr Juncker is only eligible until December 2020, when he turns 66. This is the age at which his Brussels pension kicks in, with rules stating he cannot claim this and the transitional allowance simultaneously.

The Mail can also reveal that Mr Juncker's 28 commissioners – the next tier of officials, which include Britain's Sir Julian King – will collectively be in line for more than £4.7million in 'golden goodbyes' [File photo]

The Mail can also reveal that Mr Juncker’s 28 commissioners – the next tier of officials, which include Britain’s Sir Julian King – will collectively be in line for more than £4.7million in ‘golden goodbyes’ [File photo]

Mr Tusk, 62, is entitled to the payments for the full two years.

The 28 commissioners will be entitled to up to 65 per cent of their salary for two years if they do not stay on after their terms are due to end with Mr Juncker’s.

Last night a European Commission spokesman said: ‘The objective [of the payments] is to ensure a certain level of financial security until their next paid employment.’ 

The European Council said that if Mr Tusk ‘gets other incomes and the total exceeds his current salary, the allowance will be reduced accordingly’.

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk