It emerged that politicians are facing a public backlash after the body responsible for setting MPs’ pay and perks recommended a deal that would result in their salary increasing by more than £8,000. The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) proposed a pay rise in MPs’ pay to around £74,000 a year, but offset it with a crackdown on expenses.
The current existing final-salary pension scheme is set to be downgraded to a career-average system, clawing back some of the millions of pounds in extra salary.
Sir Ian Kennedy – the authority’s chairman – said the new package represented a fresh start, and that the package put forward represents the end of the era of MPs’ remuneration being settled by MPs themselves. “For the first time, an independent body will decide what MPs should receive. We will do so in full view, and after consultation with the public,” he said. He then went on to say how the package was fair to both the taxpayers and MPs. Something that some people would disagree with.
The news has angered many taxpayers. Mohammad Zaire from Small Health told Asian World how pathetic it is that “they’re getting that much. I am working and getting paid less but they’re getting all that much for doing nothing. And some of them have 2 or 3 houses, when there’s a person who works and has 5 kids, for example, struggling whist they [MPs] are getting that much. Why do us, tax payers need to pay for it. It’s very pathetic.”
Asian World asked MP for Birmingham Northfield, Richard Burden about what he thought of all this. He said how they [IPSA] have now created a storm and stir by proposing the pay rise. He said: “After the next general election the salary of an MP should rise from recent of £66,396 to £74,000. I believe that when people are feeling the pinch – like the way they are now – it is not the right time for IPSA to bring in a pay rise like the one recommended. That’s why I am urging my constituents to engage in the consultation and have their say on IPSAs proposals.”
By Tim Katoga
