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Is Sonia M. Webster a hypocrite? Her salary scale rose 77% with new increase

Auditor General Ms Sonia M Webster has failed to mention in her report that she also benefitted from a major salary increase in late 2023. Photo: Facebook/File
The current salary scale for the top brass of the civil service. Many are making more than the Members of the House of Assembly (HoA). Photo: VINO
The current salary scale for the top brass of the civil service. Many are making more than the Members of the House of Assembly (HoA). Photo: VINO
The old salary scale for the top brass of the civil service before the increase in late 2023. Photo: VINO
The old salary scale for the top brass of the civil service before the increase in late 2023. Photo: VINO
The schedule of approved increases for House of Assembly (HoA) Members. Photo: VINO
The schedule of approved increases for House of Assembly (HoA) Members. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- While the normal critics of the political class are at it again, claiming that everyone deserves a salary increase except those who are elected, there is no mention that the Auditor General, Ms Sonia M. Webster, benefited from the salary scale increase by some 53% bottom of the scale to 77% at the top.

In her recent Audit Report laid in the House of Assembly (HoA) on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, regarding a 20 million shortfall after the salaries of all public officers and elected officials were raised, she only pointed out the salaries of the House of Assembly, but never the civil servants'.

In fact, some top brass in the public service are making much more than some of the elected members of the HoA.

Under the old salary scale (2024), before the salary increase in 2025, Ms Webster's salary range was at grade 18, $68,764 -$100,744.

Big money for Auditor General

Under the new salary increase, while she only pointed out salaries for Members of the HoA, her range in grade 18 jumped to $115,550-$196,430, which is a higher range than even the Premier's.

What is alarming is that it increased by 53% at the bottom to 77% at the top. In other words, the start of her new salary scale is higher than the top of her old salary scale.

It is unclear if the Auditor General was part of any lobbying efforts for such a big increase to carry out her constitutional role.

A short review of the new civil service salary increase scale from grade 18 to 21 shows the following: Grade 18 - 53% to 77% increase, Grade 19 - 47% to 84% increase, Grade 20 - 43% to 85% increase, Grade 21 - 31% to 84% increase.

Many in public sector making more than Premier

While some sectors of the community are criticising the small HoA members' wage increase, many Managing Directors in statutory bodies are making more than elected officials, with two statutory boards making more than the Premier.

The Financial Services Commission, National Bank of the Virgin Islands, BVI Airports Authority, Social Security and Shipping Registry are just some of the statutory bodies that see their Managing Directors paid more than or, in some cases, the same as elected officials. Statutory bodies are government institutions.

One elected member of the Opposition told our news site, “Without the Assistance Grants to help residents, most of our salaries are given away to residents, but I understand the public's concerns over the increase”.

38 Responses to “Is Sonia M. Webster a hypocrite? Her salary scale rose 77% with new increase”

  • 2024 (18/09/2025, 14:05) Like (36) Dislike (8) Reply
    can you imagine if this place goes independent because as is right now all manner of unreported wages and increases and the people; the tax payers not being well informed

    why cant the people have some clue in advance when the politicians and other department staff getting these substantial amounts of tax payers money
  • VOTE (18/09/2025, 14:10) Like (58) Dislike (3) Reply
    Obviously a majority of the members of the HOA voted to increase their salaries and those of senior civil servants. However most senior civil servants actually work in the BVI everyday. The majority of HOA members only work part time in the BVI because they are flying all over earth for dubious reasons that have little or nothing to do with the BVI. The issue is why part time politicians enjoy a salary they do not deserve!
    • Pensioners (18/09/2025, 17:25) Like (26) Dislike (0) Reply
      The only petsons who are suffering are the pensioners, they have to be using their 200. To pay electric bills. Noone of those greedy politicians looked out for them. The politicians donot care about the pensioners except their greedy
  • I wonder why (18/09/2025, 14:31) Like (37) Dislike (5) Reply
    The leader of the opposition gone quiet all of a sudden.
  • I think that it's fair (18/09/2025, 14:33) Like (41) Dislike (23) Reply
    These people were underpaid for decades
    • RedStorm (18/09/2025, 15:22) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
      I really love your analytics brain, to compute this rich lenses of the mind. Many people in the public sector work for more money that those who fighting to be politicians. Well me Lawd, a base salary is laughable, no matter the people see it fit to give themselves raise. So I have to peep behind the scene, what the others were really getting? fowl feed. No matter they people were feeling they were getting fed like Russian chicken. Good for them.
    • To I think its fair (18/09/2025, 19:43) Like (24) Dislike (0) Reply
      While I agree they were underpaid, there is no mention of their allowances. Remember Raloh T O'Neal gave every Politician a monthly housing allowance of $2000.00 that they all receive. They also have traveling, entertainment, telephone allowance and whatever else, but we dont know. My big question is, why hide it. I am disappointed that the Opposition NEVER mentioned it. Not ONE of them. We need a clean slate all 13 needs to go. All of them
    • SERVE (19/09/2025, 12:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      they are called to serve. If you can't serve then keep out of politics. you don't go in there to full your pockets....
  • HMMM (18/09/2025, 14:38) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    This is my two cents. Based on the audit report has anyone learned why the increase was under budget by the 20 million dollars? The audit focused on legislators increase which only accounted for just over $800,000. Who got the 19 million dollars?
    Elected officials don’t get increments so why was their a wage scale for them. They have been at the same salary for almost thirty years. Salaries for elected members is one figure not on a salary scale because their evaluation is every four years by the people.
    The informal house that she spoke of as secret. How was it secret when it had top ranking civil servants at the meeting that should have given guidance to the members?
  • BV Islander (18/09/2025, 14:39) Like (22) Dislike (15) Reply
    But it. Was ok for the white man for the RDA to get over 300000 dollars no one said anything
    • @ BV Islander (18/09/2025, 19:54) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
      But you know the cockroaches hate there own
    • resident (19/09/2025, 15:50) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      rda actually does real work unlike our government, cant finish a road in a year
  • LOL (18/09/2025, 14:45) Like (9) Dislike (7) Reply
    Loads of persons holding top positions receive a big increase. It's not just politicians.
  • Really??? (18/09/2025, 14:58) Like (43) Dislike (3) Reply
    She is a civil servant so obvious her salary would have risen. I guess muddy the waters to see who crosses their faces. The politicians wrong and a deceivers plain and simple
  • Really? (18/09/2025, 15:08) Like (30) Dislike (0) Reply
    There's really no excuse for the greed shown by the House of Assembly members. How can her pay be higher than the Premier's when his allowances push his salary over a quarter of a million dollars?
  • WOW (18/09/2025, 15:13) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    The UK has been attempting to suspend the constitution and this is what they collectively do? Not one single vote from any of them from either side next election!
  • Clarity (18/09/2025, 16:35) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    There are many civil servants in there who haven't received an increment in years. This article is therefor misleading
  • schupes (18/09/2025, 16:40) Like (9) Dislike (36) Reply
    She’s a hypocrite YES!! An EXTRA BIG hypocrite. She’s a bias Auditor General as well as the deputy. They don’t like the VIP government and it shows in every report presented. Check her reports under the NDP government. But a lot of us know why. You all continue with how you operate how you do. When you digging hole, dig TWO!
  • Inspired. (18/09/2025, 17:02) Like (35) Dislike (3) Reply
    She is more than deserving of her salary. She leads with integrity which in my world is most worthy, but let’s not forget that she is educated & competent. Auditing is no easy task & she does an exceptional job year after year of bringing monetary indiscretions to light. I would love to work under her one day.
  • Roxy (18/09/2025, 17:04) Like (30) Dislike (1) Reply
    What is your headline trying to prove? that she does not qualify for a raise?
    She did not get 145% or 135% raise.
    The civil servants are the ones doing all the work but look at their salary increase compare to the Ministers.
    Ms. Webster is a qualified Accountant and deserves whatever salary is given to her
    You seem to be in agreement with what and how the Govt. did regarding their salary increases.
    They could not even agree to raise the minimum wage from $6.00 to $8.50.
    Rest assured God is alive and well, knows and sees all things and Mr. & Mrs. Karma is always around.

  • BuzzBvi (18/09/2025, 17:19) Like (38) Dislike (1) Reply
    I think you will find the difference is she does not vote on her own salary increase like our greedy political class being defended here, that voted down a Minimum Wage increase and then delayed it several months and gave themselves a 119% rise and massive pension benefits.

    IT IS NOT THE SAME. One is corrupt thinking and doing.

    Of course the other thing is, she does her job and she does it well.
  • Well deserved (18/09/2025, 17:24) Like (23) Dislike (2) Reply
    The auditors general is the one figure in the mix that deserves a raise. Were it not for her efforts we wouldn’t even know this wickedness took place. Support for Sonia. Don’t shoot the messenger!
  • Xxx (18/09/2025, 17:30) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    That little small increase the haters fushing about
  • Health care (18/09/2025, 19:53) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Where does the health care persons reach on this scale that have not gottenban increment in over 12 yrs but had to suffer and serve all the BVI for the hurricanes and Pandemic while all these other government and civil servants were home and nobody said thanks
  • Anonymous (18/09/2025, 19:55) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    Some of you just jealous no one will ever elect you to the hoa
  • Proctor the AG (18/09/2025, 23:24) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Protect the ag

    Them trying take the heat off of them

    At least the ag doing she job with integrity and transparency she more than deserved her pay raised stop trying shift the topic off the greedy elites
  • West side (19/09/2025, 01:18) Like (0) Dislike (20) Reply
    The move from ms Webster comes in response to the little increase for the hard working politicians? she should be ashamed of herself!!!!!
  • tola (19/09/2025, 01:59) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    That's why this place will always be like how it's
  • Flying high.. (19/09/2025, 05:06) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ms Webster is a Star, A BVI Icon, history will record for us to remember her non partial, liok no friend, took no Bribe efforts to clean up the system, with a weak Governor. I nominate her for the next deputy Governor.. Talking about increase, she is one of the few that deserved that increase. Black people always fighting down their own when theyare geeat,, Righteousness does not need company and company do not like righteousness. "Remember that" Ms. Webster I don't know you but I am a proud admirer of you.
  • ausar (19/09/2025, 07:06) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    "Webster", eh?

    If Im not mistaken, that last name, if not by marriage , is Anguillan!

    Any relations to the Anguillans, who are prominent business owners, doctors, politicians, and , a "certain", First Lady?

    Ausar, awaits, the answer!
  • @ausar (19/09/2025, 08:02) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    A Proud BV Islander.
  • What a mess! (19/09/2025, 10:17) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    So it is ok for foreigners to come and get all the big money while our local ministers are taking home pocket change? However, these same ministers are not looking out for the local man who can bearly live of a salary of 35k in this present day and age. Oh what a mess! 35K at the top of the scale Vs 115K at the top of the scale ????. I wonder who do more laborious work?
  • dog man (19/09/2025, 19:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good job girl
  • SHAME (20/09/2025, 06:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    These ministers are all the same, hear was another example where they showed there greediness, can you imagine a public officer with 15years in service starting out at one (1) on the new salary scale. Public Servants what we need here is to consider forming a union for as it stands now we have no laws protecting us from the political abuse we have been handed for decades. The Dupty Governor is the biggest hypocrite of them all. People of the BVI abandon the poles come 2027.
  • confused (20/09/2025, 08:45) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is the pay increase supposed to include all of the bribery and back handers, or is that on top?????


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