THE top public sector earners in Times Territory have been revealed, just weeks before dramatic spending cuts are announced.

Figures show that NHS Hertfordshire has the largest number of GPs in the country earning over �100,000 per year, at 427, with 68 waged higher than Prime Minister David Cameron and six who earn over �200,000.

The highest paid is a male GP on �274,999.

A spokesman for NHS Hertfordshire said: “Hertfordshire GPs are on the same contract as other GPs in the country, based on registered patient numbers.

“Also in line with elsewhere, they are able to earn additional income for their practices.”

But despite astronomical pay for some council chiefs, Michel Saminaden, chief executive of Welwyn Hatfield Council, is the lowest paid in the county on a basic salary of �102,000.

The investigation revealed that Hertfordshire County Council has 16 employees earning over �100,000 a year and five of these earn more than the PM.

The chief executive of the council, Caroline Tapster, is among those earning more than David Cameron on �209,284.

A council spokesman said: “The salary paid for this position reflects the responsibilities within the post and is in line with other organisations of a similar size.”

Speaking about public sector salaries, Welwyn Hatfield MP Grant Shapps said: “I think it is unrealistic and I am very keen to hear why people who are in the public sector think that their job is tougher than being Prime Minister.”

Mr Shapps said he thought council bosses should follow ministers’ lead by taking a five per cent pay cut and freezing their salaries for five years, calling on them to “recognise the times”.

He added: “This has got completely out of kilter, we need to get back to the real world.

“The Prime Minister earns �142,500, and if that is enough to run the country it should be enough to run a council.”

Figures also show that Frank Whiteley, chief constable of Hertfordshire Constabulary, earns �158,759 a year.

The chief fire officer at Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, Roy Wilsher, earned �142,533 in 2008-09, making him the 16th best paid fireman in the country.

The data was collected by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism for a report by the BBC’s Panorama programme.