An MP has spoken out against the £846,000 pay packet taken home last year by the chief executive of a non-profit organisation.

Cambs Times: Motability chief executive Mike Betts.Motability chief executive Mike Betts. (Image: Archant)

North East Cambs MP Steve Barclay is staggered that Mike Betts, chief executive of Motability Operations, received £846,000 in salary and benefits last year.

He wrote to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Iain Duncan Smith asking if officials were aware of Mr Betts’ pay package and what rules are in place to curb excessive pay for managers at taxpayer-funded companies.

Motability Operations received £18.3m in Government grants in 2012 to lease mobility vehicles to 600,000 disabled people.

The company accounts show four other senior directors also took home a total of £2m in pay and perks in 2012.

Mr Barclay said: “It is frankly staggering that the chief executive of a company receiving huge Government grants is taking home a salary and benefits package worth £846,000.

“There are clearly serious questions to be asked at a time when household budgets are stretched about whether these pay deals are a fair use of taxpayer’s money.

“It is especially important that the mobility allowance is used to help those living with restricted mobility needs rather than being channelled into the pockets of senior managers at the dominant provider of these mobility services.”