Local MPs call for pay rise to be scrapped
Devizes' Danny Kruger and Hampshire's Caroline Nokes have signed a letter calling for the plans to be scrapped.
Last updated 25th Nov 2020
A group of MPs have written to the Interim Chair of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority asking to freeze their pay.
52 of them have signed it, saying "it is neither appropriate or justifiable" to be given a pay rise in the current condition.
The letter said:
"At the centre of this have been our doctors, nurses, police officers, firefighters, teachers and other essential workers. Their work has kept people safe, kept our children educated and kept our country running.
To support people's jobs and livelihoods, the Government has introduced unprecedented measures, totalling £200 billion. But at such a time, where the Government may be asking for restraint elsewhere, we believe it is neither appropriate nor justifiable to be awarding MPs pay rises."
They are calling on IPSA, who are responsible for setting MPs pay, to scrap the 3% rise they are due to receive in April.
Calls to block the rise have been growing after it emerged last week that Chancellor Rishi Sunak is set to announce a pay cap for millions of public sector workers.
Meanwhile, on Monday (23rd Nov), Boris Johnson made it clear he also believes MPs should not be getting a pay rise next year.
Asked whether the Prime Minister was happy for the rise to go ahead, his spokesman said:
"MPs' salaries are obviously decided by an independent body, but given the circumstances the PM doesn't believe MPs should be receiving a pay rise.''
In its report last month, IPSA recommended their pay should continue to be linked to the growth in public sector pay, using the figures for October as a benchmark.
This would take their pay to over £85,000.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has already said that he did not believe the award should go ahead.
A final decision on the matter is due to be announced next month.