MP Pay Rises

The annual pay rises for MPs were announced today – normally the most unpopular news of the year. The increases are in line with inflation at 3.8% to 4.1%.

I have for a long time favoured changing the way MP pay rates are adjusted, from an annual to a three-yearly regime. By having an increase every year it always looks like MPs voting themselves a payrise (even though not decided by then).

What I would do is have the Remuneration Authority set the salaries once every three years – around three months before a general election. The level they are set at to reflect it is to last for three years. This way MPs get elected to the job knowing what the salary is, and they get no increase during a term of Parliament.

Won’t save money, or cost more, but would go down better with the public in my opinion.