Common sense decision to scrap the latest pay award for MPs

AT last some common sense with the parliamentary pay watchdog scrapping the proposed MPs’ pay award of 4.1%.

I put this down to the people’s voice, loud and clear, especially as this award should not have been granted in the first place with so many people losing their livelihoods and child poverty rising.

The next bold move would be for those MPs accepting the £10,000 one-off payment earlier in the year for working at home during the first lockdown and claims not being audited to pay this back either by lump sum or by staged payments.

Chloe Savage, whose business has not been financially supported by the Chancellor, is now on the verge of closing her business and facing homelessness. This is after building a well-known embroidery business, a dying skill, and was also involved in the making of the royals’ wedding costumes.

We need businesses like Chloe’s to expand, employ staff and give orders to their supply chains and become successful. This would benefit the local and ultimately national economy whether we have a deal or no deal with the EU.

I am sure this entrepreneur and many in her situation would have welcomed the £10,000 one-off payments made to our MPs to save their businesses.

Perhaps if this money is reclaimed it can be redirected to businesses such as Chloe’s along with further support by our local council, which after all is going to raise council tax.

Some may say that the council cannot afford to do this but the Mayor and his management team should be looking to be creative and raise income and not only by direct or indirect taxes. It has been done before and can still be done again especially if there is a will and determination to do so.

What the Prime Minister and his Cabinet must not do is allow double standards. It must listen to its experts such as the scientists regarding Covid – not ignore important advice and then blame others when things go wrong. David Bonomi

Bristol