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politics explained

Why should MPs get an inflation-busting pay rise?

They will now earn more than twice as much as the average worker, writes John Rentoul

Thursday 05 March 2020 22:18 GMT
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Salaries in the British parliament are lower than in many similar countries
Salaries in the British parliament are lower than in many similar countries

MPs are to receive a rise in pay to £82,000 a year, it was confirmed yesterday – 2.7 times as much as the median full-time worker on £30,000. What are the arguments for and against such largesse?

First, the case for the defence. MPs are entitled to point out that they no longer set their own pay. Since 2010, in the wake of the expenses scandal, it has been decided by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. Indeed, it could be argued that pay was kept low for decades because the House of Commons was so embarrassed about voting for its own salaries.

This year’s 3.1 per cent rise – compared with inflation, which is currently running at 1.8 per cent – was intended to keep MPs’ pay in line with the average in the public sector.

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