MPs’ £ 3k pay rise shelved

CAMPAIGNERS have called a decision to halt a £ 3,300 pay rise for MPs a “victory for common sense”.

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority initially proposed the increase but backtracked yesterday and ordered a pay freeze.

Chairman Richard Lloyd wrote to parliamentarians to tell them the raise would be “inconsistent” with what voters are experiencing.

He added: “The unprecedented impact of the Covid pandemic has had an unexpected, but different, effect on public and private sector earnings.

“It is clear that applying the forthcoming official statistic for public sector earnings growth would result in a salary increase for MPs that would be inconsistent with the wider economic data and would not reflect the reality that many constituents are facing this year.”

The announcement was welcomed by the TaxPayers’ Alliance, which campaigns for tighter controls on public spending.

Chief executive John O’Connell said: “This victory for common sense is an early Christmas present for taxpayers.

“With the public finances in such a dire state, many public sector salaries have rightly been capped, so it’s only fair that politicians’ pay rises are also postponed.

“But if IPSA really wants parliament to deliver for the British public, then MPs’ pay should be linked to the country’s economic performance.”