11-02-2025
Readers react as MP could receive receive pay rise
Readers of the Daily Echo have reacted to a proposed pay rise for MPs that would see them earning £93,904 a year.
The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) is proposing the salary of a Member of Parliament rises by 2.8 per cent for the next financial year.
IPSA says the proposal is in line with government pay recommendations for public sector workers, and is subject to a consultation before it makes a final decision.
We asked our readers for their reaction to the proposed increase.
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Sharing her view on the Echo Facebook page, Sarah Wilson said: "Councils are going bankrupt, roads are in an awful state, health service is on its knees, social care is a mess, OAPs lost their heating allowance, homelessness has increased. Maybe their salaries should be halved to try and fix some of these issues."
Donna McIntyre added: "As someone who hasn't had a pay rise in five years because the small business I work for is struggling I find their pay rise a flaming insult."
Graham Smith said: "When you work for a company and you done a good job. The company benefits from it. Profits have gone up and so on. Then you get a pay rise.
"If it's the latter, then you don't get one.
"With the state of the country and the lack of money, the government are in the negative, then no they don't deserve or need the pay rise.
"They can cut back with everyone else."
Meanwhile, Tim Woodcock said: "That seems quite cheap actually, they work very hard on our behalf."
Darren Paffey, MP for Southampton Itchen, said: 'As Echo readers may know, MPs have nothing to do with how their pay is decided. This is instead set by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA), which has set out the reasons for its recommendation which include taking into account national pay statistics, public sector pay and the wider economic context.
'People will of course always have a view about these things, but for my part, I was hugely honoured to be elected and entrusted to do this job, so I will be getting on with working hard to support constituents with the issues they raise with me.'
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IPSA is an independent body and considers a range of metrics when deciding on MPs' pay. This includes national statistics on pay and reward in the public sector, its own pay principles, and the wider economic context.
Richard Lloyd OBE is IPSA's Chair: 'IPSA has been responsible for deciding MPs' pay since 2011. Since then, our aim has been to make fair decisions on pay, both for MPs and the public.
'Our pay proposal for 2025-26 reflects the experience of the wider working public sector population, and recognises both the vital role of MPs and the current economic climate."
