Doesn't Add Up

[sir.prize]

New proposals for MP’s salary increases being unveiled are expected to see a 12% rise from the current level of £66,000 up to £75,000 in 2015.
Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority chief Sir Ian Kennedy is likely to argue that overall the new package will only be a few hundred thousand pounds a year more costly for the public purse. That is an increase of £9,000 each.
With 650 MPs x £9,000 = £5,850,000.
That is almost six million pounds – somewhat more than a few hundred thousand.
Silly man.

How do these people become MPs and even get knighthoods?

[Gromit]

Sqad

I fear you are still missing my point.

MPs get to vote on their pay rise. The rest of the Public Sector workers do not. That is why their vote should be for the common good and not personal self interest. Sady, all but 42 MPs voted in their own self interest.

[Sqad]

Gromit........yes i think that i have missed your point.

My impression was that the suggested pay rise by the Independent Body was not up for discussion or voting, but imposed upon them.

[LazyGun]

@ Sqad - Not quite sure where the confusion lies between you and Gromit :) MPs were able to vote themselves a pay rise in times past. The point about IPSA is that they no longer have that facility; Instead IPSA makes the decision, following a public consultation period, based upon the package of measures they have announced today.

Thats why anyone with strong feelings on this topic either way should submit their thoughts and comments to IPSA, IMO :)

[Sqad]

LazyGun...that is what i thought,the IPSA decision was not a subject for parliamentary vote.

[joeluke]

75k a year is not excessive considering the job they do

Other people in far less important roles earn a shedload more than that

[hawksley]

Who the hell is Ian kennedy, that is telling cameron and his clowns not to oppose the MPs pay rise,??? never heard of him.

[LazyGun]

He is the Chair of IPSA, the body that was set up deliberately to be independent of parliament. The body responsible for auditing allowances and expenses, and setting MPs pay. So, he is within his rights, he is doing his job, and Cameron et al are powerless to vote against this recommendation.

Remember though- This is a package proposal that is open to public consultation until 20th October 2013. If you feel strongly about it, make your view known to IPSA, by contacting them :)

[Dodger666]

It's good to know the extra £52.44 income tax I will pay every year for the rest of my life, thanks to abolition of raising age related allowances in line with inflation each year, is going to such a good cause as a 11% pay rise for MPs.

We're all in it together, some more than others it seems.

[FredPuli43]

They can't win, can they? The independent body announces this at this moment, when the increase won't come in until after the next election. And they are underpaid. It's no argument that professionals will be lured in by the higher pay, because they won't be, but those who are set upon it as a career deserve better. I'd have it at £200k but nobody would approve of that.

[LazyGun]

@ Fred - I cannot agree.

http://fullfact.org/factchecks/mps_salary_pay_ipsa-29046

They are still able to write columns for newspapers,act as consultants, charge for speeches, sit on the boards of companies, run their own business, be a lawyer, be a GP.

For me, no such increase in salary is either warranted or justified. It will not attract a better class of MP - those who wish to be an MP will not be put off by the current salary.

If they really wish to justify a better salary, several things need to happen first.
1. The HoC and The Lords need to have their numbers trimmed significantly.
2. A commitment to full-time representation and reform of Parliaments working hours.
3. Removal of all unaudited allowances. Expenses only for travel on parliamentary or constituency business and for reasonable accomodation in London for those who represent those constituencies outside of the M25.
4. Office Allowance - currently £106,000 or so a year - to be reviewed.
5. PAs, Researchers etc all an open recruitment process, rather than paid jobs being given to wife or children.
6. No more "golden goodbyes".
7. A "Right of Recall" where constituents can lobby to have a by-election if the MP has been egregiously useless or conspicuously venal or even where they have brought the seat into disrepute through their actions.
8. Career Average Salary Pensions, rather than Final Salary Pensions.

[sir.prize]

After that comprehensive and lengthy discussion I now award Best Answer to the most recent comment by LazyGun which says it all.

[Sqad]

LOL...the Best Answer invariably goes to the person who agrees with the OP...........I can live with that.