Johnson ‘does not support £3,300 pay rise for MPS’

Prime Minister voices his misgivings over increase above inflation as public sector faces wage freeze

BORIS JOHNSON has suggested MPS should not receive a pay rise amid mounting speculation the Chancellor will freeze public sector pay in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said that he did not consider a salary increase for MPS was right in the “current circumstances”.

Mr Johnson intervened after the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, which sets MP pay, last month recommended a hike of £3,300 from next April, taking their annual salary to more than £85,000 per year.

The Government has faced pressure to block the move after it emerged that Rishi Sunak planned to announce a pay cap for the public sector in tomorrow’s Comprehensive Spending Review.

Mr Johnson’s spokesman said: “MPS’ salaries are obviously decided by an independent body, but given the circumstances, the PM doesn’t believe MPS should be receiving a pay rise.”

Mr Johnson previously said ministers would not get an increase in their ministerial salaries – which he sets. However, ministers have been reluctant to interfere in the Ipsa process.

In its report last month, Ipsa recommended MPS’ pay should continue to be linked to the growth in public sector pay. That would suggest an inflationbusting increase of around four per cent, to be paid from next April.

Last night, Mike Penning, a Tory MP and former minister, tabled a motion in the House of Commons calling on the Government not to freeze public sector pay, saying those affected had “done the country proud during the pandemic crisis and all too often have gone beyond

the call of duty”. The motion said MPS should be included in any pay freeze.

Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, had already said that he did not believe the award should go ahead. “That money, if it’s available, should be spent on key workers,” he said.

Government spending has soared due to the pandemic, with more than £40 billion spent on the furlough scheme. An extension until the end of March is expected to cost billions more, on top of more than £210 billion spent on the response to Covid-19.

It is understood that key NHS staff will be exempt from the freeze.

Unions reacted angrily to the proposals. Frances O’grady, general secretary of the TUC, said: “Unions will fight for the proper pay rise they have earned.”

Last night, Mr Sunak denied he was heralding a return to austerity after the Scottish National Party called for a £98 billion stimulus package – including extending furlough until the end of 2021. Ian Blackford, the SNP MP, said frontline health spending should be increased by 6.3 per cent in England to match Scotland’s £136 per person.

Mr Sunak said: “Wednesday’s Spending Review will once again demonstrate our commitment to every corner of the UK, building on the extensive support we have provided so far.”