MPs set for £7,000 pay rise
Members of Parliament (MPs) are due to receive a 10% pay rise to £74,000, after the body responsible for legislating pay and expenses stuck by the proposal, first put forward in 2013.
The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) said it saw no reason not to go ahead with the move, provided “new evidence” to the contrary was not uncovered before the end of June. IPSA has been in control of MPs salaries since the expenses scandal of 2009 and can make changes independently.
David Cameron has voiced disapproval of the move, but conceded it was not up to him to block the increase.
"Throughout this process and debate, the prime minister has been absolutely clear that he doesn't agree with the proposed increase,” his spokeswoman said. "But ultimately it is up to Ipsa as an independent body to decide MPs' pay and it is for them to make their determination," she added.
IPSA argued that cuts in pensions and expenses, such as a ban on claiming for evening meals, would offset the increase, meaning that taxpayers would not pay "a penny more".
However, Taxpayers' Alliance chief executive Jonathan Isaby called the decision out of touch and insensitive.
"IPSA spent £70,000 on a consultation which showed the public believed the current pay level to be broadly fair, yet have ignored the findings. MPs shouldn't be divorced from the same pay restraint as everywhere else in the public sector," he said.
The UK's 650 MPs currently earn £67,060.