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MPs set to give up right to vote for their own pay rises

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Published Date: 11 January 2008
By GERRI PEEV
THE House of Commons is set to give up the right to vote through MPs' pay rises – and the move could ensure them a heftier pay package.
Harriet Harman, the Commons leader, suggested yesterday this could be the last year MPs decide their own pay.

This would effectively leave the Senior Salaries Review Board in charge of imposing pay deals – and it often recommends inflation-busting rises.

Next Thursday, MPs are due to vote on recommendations to be published by the independent board.

But Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister, is urging restraint and calling on the Commons to go for a more modest settlement.

Ms Harman said many MPs found voting for their own pay rises unacceptable, adding: "And we know the public don't accept that MPs decide by voting their own pay and pensions.

"We therefore intend to review the procedures for setting MPs' pay and pensions in the future, with a view to examining options that find objective criteria for pay determination within a framework that does not require members to vote."

It is believed the board is recommending a pay rise this year of 2.8 per cent for MPs, but the Prime Minister wants them to settle for 2 per cent, as he is imposing wage freezes on six million public servants and wants to lead by example.

Labour MPs are to be whipped over the lower settlement and David Cameron is instructing senior Tories to back the government line.

However, rebellion is growing among back-benchers, who are reluctant to approve below-inflation pay rises.

MPs earn £60,675 a year, and those who represent constituencies outwith London receive a £22,110 allowance. A pay rise of 2.8 per cent would give them a rise of at least £1,700.

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  • Last Updated: 10 January 2008 9:02 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Politicians' pay
 
1

Hickory,

US 11/01/2008 00:22:50
Aye, bless me soul. The flyin' monks are a sneaky and devious crew. My, wot's this in me pocket? Save me, it's one of their hands.
2

juan kerr and his dead magic hands, now re risen.,

11/01/2008 02:06:03
Why not have a collomn on the ballot form for each person to decide their worth? E.g. MP's Salary band. 0-20k , 20-40k 40-60k

And extrapolate a mean average? That way we feel empowered when our fame seeking local member decides they are worth it. Also a ban on consultancies for 5 years, and directorships with companies they had no involvement with prior to being elected. This should get a few self serving members out of parliament and perhaps get some vocation into the work. You cannot be an MP or MSP just because "you wanted to be one since you were wee" and set about having a zero life as a result of future selection. I would rather have an honest mp thats done wrong in the past and learned through experience versuses an empty shell of a life that only votes how it's told.
3

A Better Way,

Edinburgh 11/01/2008 05:43:00
Yes they get their 80 odd thousand per annum but this rag omitted the expenses of up to 180,000 quid.

It wouldnt be so bad but most of them do absolutely nothing for the good of this country. With the highest poverty levels in Europe, can anyone explain to me exactly what the New Labour Party, have done for Scotland over the last fifty years, besides giving favours to every crook who wanted some of the funding that was for the common good of the Scottish People.

Thank christ the people of this country have woken up to their thieving. Lets move forward to a new invigorated Scotland that values all that is good in our society. The People.
4

donald,

glasgow 11/01/2008 06:54:38
Becoming a Labour MP is like a numpty winning the lotto
5

Paddi,

11/01/2008 09:05:47
overpaid and useless people, most of the power in the Uk has been handled to Brussels yet we continue to be massive over represented with people who add very little.

it's a lugh when the Pm and his cronies can demand that their MP's follow the whip and then when they vote themselves hugh pay increases it's all of a sudden a "free vote" how does that work?

non of them not one, are worth more than a coppers or nurses salary
6

FLUB,

a rocky outcrop in eastern central Scotland 11/01/2008 10:13:12
The opening paragraph says it all really...

This will be the payoff; they'll "give up" the right to vote for their pay rise, but the "independent" review body will ensure they are properly remunerated, without ever having to go to arbitration.

Ponces.
7

lielayer,

11/01/2008 10:38:31
MPs are also entitled to a number of individual allowances.

http://www.politics.co.uk/issue-briefs/domestic-policy/constitution/mps-pay-and-allowances/mps-pay-and-allowances-$366586.htm
8

mr chips,

11/01/2008 11:05:35
If these scum bags were on performance related pay they would be up to their incompetant necks in debt.
9

The Former Mr. Angry,

Perth 11/01/2008 12:06:53
Turkey's voting for Christmas? Not if this Senior Salaries Review Board are permitted to take the decision. I wonder how many Labour donations come from within its ranks?! What happens in the unlikely event that the "independent" board awards a below-inflation increase? We'd see some movement then I believe.
10

Reading Public 1,

Wisc 11/01/2008 12:13:49
I would like our Congress to do the same.
11

Guga II,

Rockall 11/01/2008 12:38:12
Maybe the people should be given the right to vote on the pay and allowances scales for MP's. That way they may get the pay scales they merit, like the basic wage perhaps?
12

Vandala,

11/01/2008 14:03:54
City Council to launch new swimsuit calendar:
http://blastededinburgh.blogspot.com
13

Andrew Allan,

11/01/2008 18:04:17
As it is generally government policy which shapes the way in which the economy is run, shouldn't the MPs base their pay on their performance by linking what they earn with inflation, including a scale which would reduce their wages when they under perform.

 

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