The pay rise consists of an extra £2,212, which brings the basic income of an MP to £84,144. This figure does not include the expenses paid for by the state, which include hiring staff, living in London and travel costs. This is only the basic income, as MPs can earn further money depending on if they fulfil ministerial duties alongside their duties to their constituency. Boris Johnson, for example, is entitled to a further £79,286 by fulfilling the role of Prime Minister along with his position as Member of Parliament for Uxbridge and South Ruislip, a constituency in Greater London. Downing Street confirmed last year, however, that ministerial salaries would not be included in any pay rise. The decision is not made by Parliament, instead by an independent committee: the Independent Parliamentary Standards. Their justification for the pay rise is that it was to be the first pay rise for MPs in two years, which matched the increasing salaries for other public sector workers.
The pay rise coincides with a rise in National Insurance, which has caused significant opposition to the news that MP will receive a pay rise. National Insurance rates also increase on the 1st of April, which mean that a further 1.25p must be paid with every pound paid. For an employee earning £20,000, the increase would mean an extra £89 paid a year. The National Insurance rise had already been a contentious topic, given a key pledge in the 2019 Conservative Party manifesto was to not raise the rate of National Insurance.
There have been several vocal opponents to the news of the pay rise. Labour MP Zarah Sultana for Coventry South criticised the move in a video on TikTok. Sultana questioned whether it was appropriate for MPs to receive a pay-rise during a cost of living crisis, since MPs are already in the “top 5% of earners”. MP Nadia Whittome for Nottingham East expressed a similar view, again pointing to the cost of living crisis and the economic position MPs occupy. There have been no comments as of yet from Boris Johnson or Keir Starmer, but both leaders commented in 2021 that MPs should not receive a pay rise given the pandemic. Starmer elaborated, suggesting any money should instead be given to key workers.
One reaction to the news has been for MPs pledging to donate the money to those in need. Sultana pledged to donate her pay rise money to Coventry’s foodbank and Coventry-based charities supporting refugees. Whittome, who already donated her earnings over £35,000, has confirmed “that won’t be changing” on Twitter. While some MPs, such as Richard Burgon, have pledged to donate extra to charities most MPs remain without comment.
I have reached out to my Parliamentary representative, Trudy Harrison of Copeland, to inquire whether she will pursue a similar course of action but a response has not been received at the time of writing this article.
