MPs’ pay rises to £74,000 — but they must explain why they’re worth it
MPs should be given a large salary increase of around 10 per cent but be forced to submit an “annual report” to show what they have done and achieved during the year, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority has said. Members of Parliament are facing public outcry after it was announced that they are in line for a pay hike of around 10 per cent to £74,000 – while the rest of the country continues to suffer austerity measures.
It comes despite the independent regulator admitting that there is “no evidence” that the current level of pay has affected the quality of candidates standing for Parliament.
The taxpayer will be hit with a £4.6 million bill for the increase which will take effect after the general election in 2015.
However, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) also proposed to offset the costs with curbs to pensions, expenses for dinners, TV licences, taxis, and “golden goodbyes”. It insisted that the overall burden on the taxpayer will only go up by £500,000 when the package comes into force.
MPs will also be forced to submit an “annual report” to show what the have done and achieved during the year.
Ipsa justified the salary increase despite saying that it had not “been persuaded” that the “quality of those offering themselves as prospective candidates has been adversely affected by the level of pay available”.
The report added: “We have found no evidence to support this claim and, indeed, there is plenty of reason to suspect that the selection policies and procedures of the political parties are far more important determinants of the quality and character of prospective candidates.
“Moreover, many informed observers seem to judge the 2010 cohort of MPs to be of a particularly high calibre. And, of course, they put themselves forward for election with a salary of £65,738 in view.”
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