Thank you for contacting me about proposals to increase MPs’ pay.
I am aware that the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA), the independent body responsible for overseeing Members’ pay, pensions and expenses, has put forward proposals for the periodic adjustments to MPs’ salaries (as part of its statutory duty to review Members’ remuneration in the first year of each Parliament).
I understand that suggestions to potentially increase MPs’ pay may be frustrating for you, especially given the economic impacts of Covid-19. The review of Members’ salaries is, however, merely a set of proposals and will be undergoing serious scrutiny before potentially being implemented.
It should be noted that the proposals are a continuation of the current arrangements which see Members’ pay change in-line with average rises for public sector workers – based on data compiled by the independent Office for National Statistics (ONS). Following a three-year review by IPSA (which concluded in 2015), it was decided that MPs’ salaries would be benchmarked against average pay rises for public sector workers and updated on an annual basis. Changes in Members’ pay would, therefore, take effect in April each year, but would be based on changes to public sector pay in the previous October. This approach to benchmarking has the benefit of MPs’ pay reflecting developments in the economy, rather than driving them.
I nevertheless understand your concerns and hope that IPSA will find a solution for the forthcoming year which is mutually agreeable.