Grimsby MP says she doesn’t need a pay rise on top of £80k salary
GRIMSBY MP Lia Nici has joined a group of others calling for their pay rise to be scrapped.
The increase of about £3,000 would take their annual pay to around £82,500.
In a letter to IPSA interim chair Richard Lloyd, more than 50 Conservative MPs, including Ms Nici and Cleethorpes MP Martin Vickers, say: “To support people’s jobs and livelihoods, the Government has introduced unprecedented measures, totalling £200 billion. “But at such a time, where the Government may be asking for restraint elsewhere, we believe it is neither appropriate nor justifiable to be awarding MPs pay rises. “Therefore, as the independent body responsible for setting MPs’ pay, we are calling on you to scrap the three per cent pay rise we are set to receive and freeze MPs’ pay.”
The letter continues: “When so many of our constituents are facing uncertainty, it is only right that we help shoulder the burden. As such, we sincerely hope that you will take current circumstances into account and scrap the proposed pay rise for Members of Parliament.”
It follows significant scrutiny of the government for the proposed freeze on pay for public sector workers, as well as slashing the planned rise in National Living Wage from five per cent, equalling £9.21 an hour, to just a two per cent rise, equalling £8.90.
Earlier this week, the Great Grimsby MP supported the Budget Review set out by Chancellor Rishi Sunak which confirmed that a further £55 million will be spent to help the country’s response to coronavirus – including £18 billion for mass testing, Test and Trace, PPE and vaccines, and £3 billion to support NHS recovery.
The NHS will be receiving an additional £6.6 billion, allowing for 50,000
more nurses and 50 million more GP appointments.
There will also be further investment in new technologies, building 40 new hospitals, upgrading 70 more, and replacing the vast majority of ageing diagnostic equipment.
There will also be a two per cent increase in funding year-on-year for education.
The biggest talking point, however, was the £24 billion that is to be invested in defence – the biggest sustained increase in 30 years.
It is believed the majority of the funding will be going towards strengthening the country’s cyber defences, as well as investment in a new ‘space command’. Ms Nici said: “While the health emergency facing our country is not yet over, the economic emergency has only just begun.
“The Chancellor’s Spending Review tackles this unprecedented situation head on – ensuring lives and livelihoods in Great Grimsby are protected and supported in the weeks and months ahead.
“I was elected at last year’s General Election on a commitment to level up communities like ours, and I am thrilled that this Conservative Government is now making good on that promise. I am excited by the £4billion ‘levelling up’ scheme, which will allow bids for funds to improve facilities wanted by local people. “Despite the hit to the economy by Covid-19, many public sector workers will receive a pay rise, including NHS doctors and nurses and those earning less than £24,000 per annum. It is important that we try to protect those on a lower income.”
Ms Nici continued: “Underpinning the Government’s commitment to education and skills, £29 million will fund skills for young people who want to go into education, and for improvements to the apprenticeship system. As a Further Education Ambassador for the Government, I very much welcome this news.”