Here’s how much MPs and MSPs get paid

Here’s how much MPs and MSPs get paid
(Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)Here’s how much MPs and MSPs get paid
(Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)
Here’s how much MPs and MSPs get paid (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

A review of MPs pay carried out by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA), has recommended that members of UK parliament should have their salaries increased by more than £3,000 next year.

Against a backdrop of economic uncertainty which has led to highs in unemployment with a further raft of redundancies expected, many have called for MPs salaries to be frozen, as has been the case in other countries such as New Zealand.

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How much will salaries go up by?

The exact figure that MPs salaries will rise by is yet to be confirmed, but IPSA has recommended an increase tied to the public sector three month annual growth rate, which was 4.1 per cent in October.

This means that MPs will likely see their basic salary entitlement rise by between £3,000 and £3,500 next April, with IPSA confirming that the rise will likely exceed inflation.

The exact amount that MPs will receive will be announced in December.

How much do MPs currently earn?

Currently, the salaries of MPs are set by IPSA at £81,932, which has risen from £65,738 since 2010.

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The Prime Minister is entitled to an additional £79,286 on top of an MPs salary, while the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Secretaries of State can see their wages topped up by £71,090.

Some other roles and duties also entitle MPs to receive more than their basic salary, with the Attorney General eligible for a further £98,921, and the government whips entitled to a further £19,880.

MPs are permitted to take on second jobs and provide services and consultation to other companies, which means many earn more from the work they do outside of parliament than for their role as an MP.

In Scotland, the system is slightly different for MSPs, with their salaries set by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. MSPs are entitled to a salary of £64,470, with additional amounts given to ministers and those with added responsibilities.

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This means that, in total, the First Minister can expect to earn £157,861, while the Cabinet Secretary and Presiding Officer’s salaries are £112,919. Ministers earn £94,821.

IPSA’s interim chairman, Richard Lloyd, said it had reviewed MPs’ pay in 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2018.

He said, “Given the huge economic uncertainties arising from the coronavirus pandemic, we don’t think it’s right to depart from this approach.”

A version of this article originally appeared on our sister title, The Scotsman

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