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Pay rise for MPs

(13 Posts)
62Granny Wed 02-Mar-22 11:43:30

Isn't it marvellous that parliament can vote on a pay rise for themselves, given the reason that they have worked hard during the pandemic but unable to give pensioners the cost of living rise this year? What about everyone else who has also worked hard , shop workers, delivery drivers , home care workers, the NHS, the list goes on and on. I gave up my job and am a carer for my husband they give me the princely sum of less than £2.00 per hour I will lose this when I become a "pensioner" my caring duties will continue long after this! ?

Lucca Wed 02-Mar-22 11:46:29

Unbelievable
But apparently Boris was against it ?

Kim19 Wed 02-Mar-22 12:00:15

Disgusted but not at a!l surprised.

ayse Wed 02-Mar-22 12:13:53

Kim19

Disgusted but not at a!l surprised.

Pigs at the trough! And they’ve taken away £20 per week from the poorest in society, plus the NI rise, the cost of fuel and the triple lock. Another thread talks about food banks, bedding banks and baby banks as well. Not to mention the treatment of refugees.

This must be the cruellest government in living memory and even worse than the Thatcher years for us ordinary folk.

Apparently one of the Russian banks has been allowed to continue to operate for a further month in London according to LBC yesterday.

Pammie1 Wed 02-Mar-22 12:17:16

@62Granny. MP’s don’t vote on their pay. As a result of the 2009 expenses scandal MP’s contracted out the decision on their pay awards to an independent body, IPSA - the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. This is what people said they wanted after the expenses scandal - MPs pay taken completely out of the hands of the politicians.

Unfortunately IPSA thought a 10% increase for MPs in 2015 was acceptable despite us being in the midst of the austerity imposed by the coalition government, when the rest of the public sector only got a 1% rise. There was an outcry at what amounted to a £7,500 pay rise and the delightful David Cameron said at the time that it was ‘the rate for the job’. Pay rises in the last few years have been a bit more modest - although still way above the average, and I don’t think there was an increase at all in 2021/22. Interestingly there is no mechanism for MP’s to refuse the pay rise, although IPSA do consult before implementing any decision and submissions are invited as to ‘any new and compelling evidence that might warrant reconsideration’. I would have thought that austerity would have been compelling evidence against a 10% pay rise in 2015, but there’s no evidence that anyone put forward any objections. I bet there wasn’t a rush to give it to charity either. All very convenient.

GillT57 Wed 02-Mar-22 12:28:02

Yes, I have heard the IPSA argument before, 'It wasn't me miss, the big boys made me take the money'. Maybe we need an IPSA type body for public service workers too?

MaizieD Wed 02-Mar-22 12:44:11

Maybe we need an IPSA type body for public service workers too?

We used to have trade unions and wages councils...

I think the IPSA point is a valid one. I don't think that MPs are overpaid, either.

What we should be concerned about is the MPs who have second jobs. Not the ones who are putting in time to maintain their professional practice, but those whose jobs are unrelated to their previous career and are billed as 'consultancy' or 'advisory'. I think we 'did' this topic, though, at the time of the Owen Paterson scandal...

GillT57 Wed 02-Mar-22 13:58:53

Trades Unions and Wages Councils are part of the 'leftie' agenda along with Corbyn according to most of the MSM, whenever there is mention of their abilities to fight for their members' rights, up come all the usual stuff about 'Red Robbo' and the more excessive events of the 1970s. This is repeated by a generation which benefited from the job security and improved working and employment conditions fought for by Trade Unions.

Madgran77 Wed 02-Mar-22 14:12:32

MPs do not vote in their own pay! It is decided by IPSA. MPs CAN refuse to taker it if they choose!

Rather unfortunate timing to put it mildly!!

Happygirl79 Wed 02-Mar-22 14:13:37

It's disgusting.
They have no idea how hard it is to manage on a state pension

MaizieD Wed 02-Mar-22 14:43:40

So, do those who object to this salary think that an MP is worth less than a company director?

Are you basically saying that MPs don't contribute anything to the country?

It makes me wonder why people bother to vote...

This is a selection of advertised director's jobs. although the page says that the 'average' director's salary is around £70K the message doesn't seem to have got through to those who are advertising directorships...

www.reed.co.uk/average-salary/average-director-salary

GrannyGravy13 Wed 02-Mar-22 14:48:58

There are local civil servants, train drivers and diversity managers in the NHS who earn more than U.K. MP’s

GillT57 Wed 02-Mar-22 16:27:47

I think that the salary MPs are paid is under average for the hours and responsibilities, but we must also heed the huge amounts paid in expenses, housing etc. Although many people earn more than £85000 a year, very few I suspect get a fully funded second home and their family on the payroll as part of their expense package. I live in an area where thousands commute into London every day, yet our MP is claiming expenses for a second home. I fail to see why he cannot have a season ticket like his constituents, it may help the train service provision too!