MPs Pay... Going Up, Up, Up

A few weeks ago, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) announced that MPs' pay would increase by 2.8% for the year ahead. This will put any MP on £93,909 by my calculation. For a reminder, most benefits are going up by just 1.7%, and the amount they pay out per person is much less.

Then let's not forget that MPs get generous expenses on top, with many receiving extra allowances for other work they do for parliament, such as being a select committee chair.

I'm not debating that they need quite high salaries; they are collectively responsible for representing everyone in the country and forming the government. There is something very tone deaf in my view about it going up in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis and when there is a potential for a global recession, thanks to Trump's tariffs. Among other issues, too.

I imagine they will argue that an independent body is putting it up, so they aren't responsible. I'd argue, though, that it was an act of parliament that set up IPSA, so if they really wanted, they could amend the pay award in the same way.

Of course, we all know that won't happen.

Isn't it strange how those at the top, who have one of the greatest impacts on the living standards of people in this country, are entitled to a generous pay rise on top of an already generous salary?

And I think we all know how good the standard of living is for so many these days.

Come on, parliament, do better.