MPs call for 32% pay rise

MPs have told the watchdog reviewing their pay that they deserve a 32% hike to £86,250.

A survey carried out by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) also found more than a third believe they should keep generous final salary pensions.

The findings emerged as Ipsa published a report on its initial consultation into pay and pensions, which ended last month.

The research, which politicians completed anonymously, found that 69% thought they were underpaid on £65,738.

The average level suggested for the salary was £86,250.

But Tory MP Andrew Bridgen told BBC Radio 4's PM programme he believed MPs deserved more cash.

"Most of my colleagues on the government benches took a large pay cut to be an MP, and I think there’s a real danger, if you need good people, you need the right people, there’s a lot of exclusion," he said.

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/01/10/mps-vote-to-increase-pay-86250_n_2448503.html?1357840986&utm_hp_ref=uk

Strange how when it comes to MP's you have to pay more to get good workers but for the rest of us we should be happy if we get minimum wages because we have a job.....

MP's should remember that they put themselves up for election, unless of course their Tory's then it was their rich friends who pushed them........

Morning all. Can't actually believe politicians are demanding a pay rise. Their pay is already in top 3%. How sick when they've just voted for a benefit (in/out of work)cut to the very poorest for the first time since 1930's. Why are we putting up with this? Everything is happening so quickly, we haven't time to deal with one thing when the next kicks us harder and shameless propaganda is successfully dividing us. Awful times.
How wealthy am I? Check out this Guardian article http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/datablog/interactive/2012/jun/22/how-wealthy-you-compared?fb=native

Thanks for posting the link to the Guardian article, with the interesting interactive tools and even more interesting statistics.
My score was 50 - just nicely in the middle - not really feeling any pinch at present, but you can easily see how things could get uncomfortable if current trends continue.

Well, despite everything our Austerity Chancellor has threatened, there still seems to be plenty of cash available for new cars.

Following swiftly after the announcement that UK new car sales reached a record four-year high in 2012, the news agency Reuters is reporting a far more dismal picture across the rest of Europe.

France and Spain have both hit record 15-year lows, and while the important markets of Italy and Germany haven’t yet reported any figures, Italy is expected to announce its worst year since 1979. Already industry analysts are dismissing any hope of a return to growth in 2013.


http://cars.uk.msn.com/news/eu-car-sales-slump-as-uk-booms

astradt1 wrote:

MPs have told the watchdog reviewing their pay that they deserve a 32% hike to £86,250.

A survey carried out by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) also found more than a third believe they should keep generous final salary pensions.

The findings emerged as Ipsa published a report on its initial consultation into pay and pensions, which ended last month.

The research, which politicians completed anonymously, found that 69% thought they were underpaid on £65,738.

The average level suggested for the salary was £86,250.

But Tory MP Andrew Bridgen told BBC Radio 4's PM programme he believed MPs deserved more cash.

"Most of my colleagues on the government benches took a large pay cut to be an MP, and I think there’s a real danger, if you need good people, you need the right people, there’s a lot of exclusion," he said.

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/01/10/mps-vote-to-increase-pay-86250_n_2448503.html?1357840986&utm_hp_ref=uk

Strange how when it comes to MP's you have to pay more to get good workers but for the rest of us we should be happy if we get minimum wages because we have a job.....

MP's should remember that they put themselves up for election, unless of course their Tory's then it was their rich friends who pushed them........

I suppose even with a 32% rise in there salary they would still be wanting there expenses too, greed has definitely won here or maybe the tories want to earn a million so that like there front bench they can benefit from the 5p tax break??

MP's already get a splendid salary for what is essentially a part time job for many of them, and with the very generous expenses on top I fail to see how they can plead poverty in any shape or form, especially when other public servants (and that is what MP's are) are facing pay freezes, redundancies and partial loss of pension rights.
I'm sure someone will be organising a petition, and in any case, this would definitely in my view be something to be lobbying MP's about.
If we're 'all in it together' they must listen - can't imagine many voters will be in favour of this proposal

boatlady wrote:MP's already get a splendid salary for what is essentially a part time job for many of them, and with the very generous expenses on top I fail to see how they can plead poverty in any shape or form, especially when other public servants (and that is what MP's are) are facing pay freezes, redundancies and partial loss of pension rights.
I'm sure someone will be organising a petition, and in any case, this would definitely in my view be something to be lobbying MP's about.
If we're 'all in it together' they must listen - can't imagine many voters will be in favour of this proposal

They will do this at there peril at the moment Cameron has not got a hope in hell of being re-elected in 2015, he did not get a win in 2010 at believe it is going to be even less, reason the 1% cap on benefits and the nasty names Cameron and his cohorts calls them, just to let you all see a 1% rise on JSA is around 72p per week (that is if your 25 yrs and over) 1% on public sector on minimum wage is is around £26.00 per week, that is why Cameron will not give this rise of 32& to MPs.

I have never met anyone who thought they were overpaid.

boatlady wrote:MP's already get a splendid salary for what is essentially a part time job for many of them, and with the very generous expenses on top I fail to see how they can plead poverty in any shape or form, especially when other public servants (and that is what MP's are) are facing pay freezes, redundancies and partial loss of pension rights.
I'm sure someone will be organising a petition, and in any case, this would definitely in my view be something to be lobbying MP's about.
If we're 'all in it together' they must listen - can't imagine many voters will be in favour of this proposal

I've no doubt many on the government benches are effectively part-time. However, knowing a lot more about what most, perhaps all, Labour MPs do than I did last year, I do actually think they're underpaid. 4 days a week in Westminster, surgeries on Fridays and perhaps Saturdays too, plus door-knocking, meeting with the local party etc, and usually something going on on a Sunday.

Of course, they go into it with their eyes pretty well open about what it will entail - so it's to their credit that they do so even though it's not the kind of pay that some could command in industry (or even in a top council job). I wouldn't begrudge them a pay rise - but those who are campaigning for cuts and freezes for everyone else shouldn't qualify.

Expenses are a separate issue. Nobody should be expected to cover genuinely-incurred work expenses out of their own pocket.

Of course Ipsa has been tasked with looking at MP's pay so if they recommend any increase above 1% the MP's will be able to just shrug their collective shoulders and say 'it wasn't their fault'...... Does that sound familiar?

The fact that the Nurses Pay Review Body seems to have been all but disbanded, since the economic crisis hit, and as Skwalker has pointed out so well in another thread there are moves to actively get rid of national pay bargaining in the NHS.... Of course cutting the pay in just a few hospitals is far easier than trying to do it nationally.

SK - even conceding your point that some MP's are genuinely underpaid, I think in the present circumstances it would be right fopr them to reflect that the best leadership is leadership by example and to refrain from asking for a huge rise to what is after all a living wage until after proper justice has been achieved for all the other underpaid citizens of this country.
I don't think there's any evidence, is there? - that MP's are actually having to go without necessities as are an increasing number of their constituents.
I don't advocate a 'race to the bottom' , but maybe let's get the priorities sorted

boatlady wrote:SK - even conceding your point that some MP's are genuinely underpaid, I think in the present circumstances it would be right fopr them to reflect that the best leadership is leadership by example and to refrain from asking for a huge rise to what is after all a living wage until after proper justice has been achieved for all the other underpaid citizens of this country.
I don't think there's any evidence, is there? - that MP's are actually having to go without necessities as are an increasing number of their constituents.
I don't advocate a 'race to the bottom' , but maybe let's get the priorities sorted

Of course! Wasn't disagreeing that they should defer any talk of a rise now, just offering a slightly different perspective on the common perception that they're highly paid for little work.

Actually, some of them ARE highly paid for little work, and some DO cheat on their expenses - and you know what they say about bad apples

Governments never have any money of their own, the Taxpayer is the source, so it would seem logical for Taxpayers to make the decision on MP's pay-scales.

It's not easy to think of any other circumstances in which it is the staff who decide how much they will get paid.

It is quite right that MPs should demand to be paid what they are worth.

It should save us millions...

Phil Hornby wrote:It is quite right that MPs should demand to be paid what they are worth.

It should save us millions...

Never thought of that one PH, it would saves us trillions because some of them should be paid in the old £. S. P

Would this be a good time to mention that in these austere times MP's want a 32% pay rise? apparently the poor lambs can not make ends meet on a derisory salary of £65,000 (Plus expenses and pensions)

We're all in this together, right kids...

Red
If MP's want the rest of us to accept a pay freeze, I think it right that they lead by example and vote against any measure that aims to increase their income by 32%.
I suspect many MP's regard their House of Commons income as part time income, doing as little as possible, while drawing a further income (or incomes) from consultancy work.
In the case of those honourable souls who do regard their house ofcommons duties as their main job, my hope and expectation would be that those people would understand the importance, as public servants, of limiting their demands to the 1% suggested increase.
It will be interesting, over the next few weeks, to be lobbying MP's to let them know our views on this, and to take note of those who do in the end vote in favour of this increase - may help us all decide who to vote for in 2015

Phil
You're so right - care to formulate a sliding scale for us?

boatlady wrote:Red
If MP's want the rest of us to accept a pay freeze, I think it right that they lead by example and vote against any measure that aims to increase their income by 32%.
I suspect many MP's regard their House of Commons income as part time income, doing as little as possible, while drawing a further income (or incomes) from consultancy work.
In the case of those honourable souls who do regard their house ofcommons duties as their main job, my hope and expectation would be that those people would understand the importance, as public servants, of limiting their demands to the 1% suggested increase.
It will be interesting, over the next few weeks, to be lobbying MP's to let them know our views on this, and to take note of those who do in the end vote in favour of this increase - may help us all decide who to vote for in 2015

I agree, on every point I agree. However, today I read an article in the...Indy possibly, that made me think. I cant find the article at the mo which is more than a little annoying and I will endeavor to find it however. The gist of the article was an interview with a young Labour MP who had all the atributes, business minded, sharp, articulate, social conscience, she seemed to have what it takes to be an effective MP, however she will not be an MP after the next election because she can earn three times an MP's salary in the private sector.

I'm not defending a 32% pay rise for MP's, but after reading this article, well lets say it slowed me down.

QUOTE: a young Labour MP who had all the atributes, business minded, sharp, articulate, social conscience, she seemed to have what it takes to be an effective MP, however she will not be an MP after the next election because she can earn three times an MP's salary ....

and knows how to sell herself too. Good Luck!

Maybe there's a difference between wanting to make a difference to your country and your community and wanting to make a load of money for yourself and your family.
I've worked long hours in my time, providing an important service to the community - of course, in the private sector I could have earned more, but working in the private sector I would have been helping to chase profits - if you want to work for people, profits have to take second place to quality.
If MP's want to work for their constituents, maybe they have to accept that reasonable pay rises are part of the deal, especially in the current climate where citizens of this country, who MP's are employed to represent, are in actual want. Maybe get fair pay for the majority, then think about a large rise for MP's?

boatlady wrote:Red
If MP's want the rest of us to accept a pay freeze, I think it right that they lead by example and vote against any measure that aims to increase their income by 32%.
I suspect many MP's regard their House of Commons income as part time income, doing as little as possible, while drawing a further income (or incomes) from consultancy work.
In the case of those honourable souls who do regard their house ofcommons duties as their main job, my hope and expectation would be that those people would understand the importance, as public servants, of limiting their demands to the 1% suggested increase.
It will be interesting, over the next few weeks, to be lobbying MP's to let them know our views on this, and to take note of those who do in the end vote in favour of this increase - may help us all decide who to vote for in 2015

I am going to say something boatlady and it will sound bias perhaps it is, most of the Tory MPs do have other jobs just as you have said and maybe what there doing is comparing what they are paid in there consulting jobs to what they are paid as an MP, but they forget the only people that good wages in the private sector are the one at the top of the tree the people making that money are paid PEANUTS hence the reason for Working tax credits.

These days MP's increasingly seem to be career politicians who have never worked outside of the Westminster bubble. I think if MP's had some experience of working in the real world (And by that I don't mean brief stints as lobbyists or public relations advisers, which seems to be a trend these days) they 'might' have a more realistic approach to salaries perks and pensions. Some MP's seem incapable of understanding that many people in this country can only dream of a £65,000 salary and I think Nadine Dorries was probably correct when she said Cameron and Osborne were arrogant posh boys’ who ‘don’t know the price of milk’.

" ...care to formulate a sliding scale for us?"

Being a simple sort of chap , my plan would be to mirror the principles of those MPs respective parties. Accordingly, all Tories would not be paid at all, but would be expected to provide their 'services' ( Heaven help us!) on a Big Society basis , and therefore without remuneration. This would , coincidentally reflect precisely what each is worth .

LibDem MPs would suffer the fate of those who voted for them and therefore would never know what excatly they would receive although they would be free to reflect their Commons behaviour and kiss Tory backsides hoping for a few financial crumbs in acknowledgement.

Other MPs would be paid strictly by results - for instance, on how much effort they put into making life difficult for Cameron and his rabid followers and the extent to which they annoy him at PMQs by slapping him about with a few-well-chosen and inconvenient facts about Tory performance.

Surely all this is fair isn't it?

( PS My usual charge-out rate for this sort of advice is a mere £65 ph +VAT - what value, and doubtless worth a 32% increase!)

Phil, perhaps you might do worse than develop a blueprint for a Parliamentary Party whose only function is to goad the current Administration (whatever its complexion).

Entitled The Little Devils or somesuch.

Red Rackham wrote:These days MP's increasingly seem to be career politicians who have never worked outside of the Westminster bubble. I think if MP's had some experience of working in the real world (And by that I don't mean brief stints as lobbyists or public relations advisers, which seems to be a trend these days) they 'might' have a more realistic approach to salaries perks and pensions. Some MP's seem incapable of understanding that many people in this country can only dream of a £65,000 salary and I think Nadine Dorries was probably correct when she said Cameron and Osborne were arrogant posh boys’ who ‘don’t know the price of milk’.

There is a few Labour MPs that have had jobs before H.O.C, Alan Johnstone was a postman John Prescott worked on cruise ships and I.m certain there is more.

Phil Hornby wrote:" ...care to formulate a sliding scale for us?"

Being a simple sort of chap , my plan would be to mirror the principles of those MPs respective parties. Accordingly, all Tories would not be paid at all, but would be expected to provide their 'services' ( Heaven help us!) on a Big Society basis , and therefore without remuneration. This would , coincidentally reflect precisely what each is worth .

LibDem MPs would suffer the fate of those who voted for them and therefore would never know what excatly they would receive although they would be free to reflect their Commons behaviour and kiss Tory backsides hoping for a few financial crumbs in acknowledgement.

Other MPs would be paid strictly by results - for instance, on how much effort they put into making life difficult for Cameron and his rabid followers and the extent to which they annoy him at PMQs by slapping him about with a few-well-chosen and inconvenient facts about Tory performance.

Surely all this is fair isn't it?

( PS My usual charge-out rate for this sort of advice is a mere £65 ph +VAT - what value, and doubtless worth a 32% increase!)

Loving it!

Phil Hornby wrote:" ...care to formulate a sliding scale for us?"

Being a simple sort of chap , my plan would be to mirror the principles of those MPs respective parties. Accordingly, all Tories would not be paid at all, but would be expected to provide their 'services' ( Heaven help us!) on a Big Society basis , and therefore without remuneration. This would , coincidentally reflect precisely what each is worth .

LibDem MPs would suffer the fate of those who voted for them and therefore would never know what excatly they would receive although they would be free to reflect their Commons behaviour and kiss Tory backsides hoping for a few financial crumbs in acknowledgement.

Other MPs would be paid strictly by results - for instance, on how much effort they put into making life difficult for Cameron and his rabid followers and the extent to which they annoy him at PMQs by slapping him about with a few-well-chosen and inconvenient facts about Tory performance.

Surely all this is fair isn't it?

( PS My usual charge-out rate for this sort of advice is a mere £65 ph +VAT - what value, and doubtless worth a 32% increase!)

This is something else PH, but your charges are a bit steep I hope your not learning too much from the tories ha ha.

Phil
Amusing, and with a sense of natural justice - now we just need to find a way to make it happen - who knows? A grateful governemnt might just be willing to pay your rather inflated fee

boatlady wrote:Phil
Amusing, and with a sense of natural justice - now we just need to find a way to make it happen - who knows? A grateful governemnt might just be willing to pay your rather inflated fee

Thank you boatlady I'm not the only one that thought PH fees where a tad on the high side.

Their greed knows no bounds. According to an article in today's Sunday Times MPs are demanding severance compensation of £30,000 upon leaving Parliament FOR WHATEVER REASON.

At the moment, that compensation is only for losing the seat at an election.

"[i..]I'm not the only one that thought PH fees where a tad on the high side ..."[/i]

I have said before on these threads that when I do what I (now occasionally) do, it is surprising that those who employ me don't see how easy it would really be to ' do it themselves'. All it would take would be some simple thought and a carefully drafted plan. After all ,that is all I have ever done.

When oftenwrong commented that he had never come across anyone who complained they were paid too much, I was tempted to suggest that he had now! In truth I , like so many, am not worth that much, but it appears that folk are prepared to cough up the sums involved, and I do try to put it to good use, aside of my own modest needs.

But at least I seem to satisfy the client in a competitive market - which is more than many MPs can claim...!

oftenwrong wrote:Their greed knows no bounds. According to an article in today's Sunday Times MPs are demanding severance compensation of £30,000 upon leaving Parliament FOR WHATEVER REASON.

At the moment, that compensation is only for losing the seat at an election.

I do not think they should get severance pay for losing their seat either OW, it just proves their voters were not happy with the job they did and if that happens in the great big wide world you just get your P45 and any holiday pay or lying time pay.

Being paid to go away is not an entirely novel concept. Ask a street-musician.

In seriousness, it is extraordinarily cheeky of any staff to decide their own terms of engagement.

Golden goodbyes: Politicians demand payouts worth £33,000 to MPs even if they choose to stand down

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2261772/Politicians-demand-payouts-worth-33-000-MP-choose-stand-down.html#ixzz2Hu0ddyKk

Payouts are currently only offered to MPs who lose their seats at an election
Politicians call for a return to the old system and award all MPs even if they leave the role for a higher paid job or enter the House of Lords
By TARA BRADY

Greedier and greedier.........

Isn't losing your parliamentary seat the same as being sacked?
And don't you just get your pay owed when you get the sack?
I don't understand why MP's should get anything except their pay up to date if they lose their seat (maybe regard it as redundancy, to be generous and pay off on the same terms as a redundancy)

boatlady wrote:Isn't losing your parliamentary seat the same as being sacked?
And don't you just get your pay owed when you get the sack?
I don't understand why MP's should get anything except their pay up to date if they lose their seat (maybe regard it as redundancy, to be generous and pay off on the same terms as a redundancy)

I have said the same thing boatlady in an earlier post, if joe blogs gets the sack its P45 and any lying time pay and holiday pay and some bosses do not even pay that .