Nice work if you can get it

[HK phooey]

Well, it seems that our esteemed members of parliament are to be awarded a rather generous pay rise come 2015. They will be pocketing a minimum of £74, 000 a year, plus of course any earnings from the 2nd job that many of them hold as they have about 13 weeks holiday a year. However, it's not all good news for them as it seems the poor loves will now have to fork out for their own evening meals and tea and biscuits. And before anyone tells me how much work they do in their constituency, please, don't make me laugh!

[Dark Knight]

its a decent salary but hardly over the top these days, many other occupations get paid much more than that
Doctors, Head teachers, senior managers in large companies etc

My issue is more of value for money rather than the number itself

[The Monocled Mutineer]

The Facts:

The rise is mitigated by a reduction in pension, pay-offs when losing a seat and a reduction in expenses.

MPs work long hours and their work is not just in the chamber, but also in committees, dealing withn their parliamentary correspondence and shuttleing between Westminster and their constituency and meeting and dealing with constituents and local businesses and organsisations.

When Parliament rises an MPs work does not stop with most taking perhaps a fortnight around August as well as a week in Easter and Christmas/NY.

Parliament and Constituencies do not close down just because they are not sitting.

~~~

2nd jobs. MPs who are government ministers from the PM down to a PPS by definition have a second job - they are on the government payroll. However not all governing partys' MPs are ministers, etc. They are back benchers, as are all the Labour MPs (and other parties) except the Leader of HM Loyal Opposition who receives an extra salary, office and car/driver.

As regards MPS who maintain links with business and the employed world I think it is great that we have MPs who are Captains of Industry, TU Officials, Farmers, Doctors, Teachers, etc, etc or run their own businesses.

~~~

By and large we have a good group of men and women who serve as MPs and will help any of their constituents whether they voted for him/her or not or didn't even vote at all!

Derek Kane

The Monocled Mutineer

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[HK phooey]

Many people have seen their pensions reduce or disappear and haven't had a big pay rise to compensate for it.
The fact that MPs were given a £65,000 payout when losing their seat, whether or not they contested it, is a joke.
After seeing how many MPs lost their moral compass and stuck their snouts in the trough over expenses in the past, they are lucky to be able to claim for anything at all.

I have the greatest respect for the few men and women that go into politics to do some good, and hold on to their principles. I just don't think there's many of them around.

[ChesterfieldJohn]

I would be in favour of this rise if it meant that their expenses were stopped and that they were not allowed second jobs.

I believe that they should be full time MP's which wouldn't allow time for anything else.

John

[Kendhni]

I would agree with CJ about all MP's being full time and focussing on that specific task of being an MP.
However, I think a certain element of expenses is required, but that still needs a lot of review. For example, the removal of second properties, but a simple flat being provided for nights they need to stay over ... living expenses being capped at the rate of the pension ... not being allowed to employ family as researchers, secretary, dogs-body etc. Any MP found to breach rules of morality (including expenses, back handers etc.) during their period as an MP should immediately lose 100% of their pension rights and be banned from ever holding a public office for the remainder of their lives. Plus there should be no payouts when they leave office.

[Silver_Shiney]

any MP requiring overnight accommodation in London should be put up at the Guards barracks on Birdcage Walk. Cheap accommodation (already provided for by the public purse) and security covered in one stroke.

[oldbluefox]

I would agree with CJ about all MP's being full time and focussing on that specific task of being an MP.
However, I think a certain element of expenses is required, but that still needs a lot of review. For example, the removal of second properties, but a simple flat being provided for nights they need to stay over ... living expenses being capped at the rate of the pension ... not being allowed to employ family as researchers, secretary, dogs-body etc. Any MP found to breach rules of morality (including expenses, back handers etc.) during their period as an MP should immediately lose 100% of their pension rights and be banned from ever holding a public office for the remainder of their lives. Plus there should be no payouts when they leave office.

Crikey Ken. That would cause a fair bit of gum bumping in certain quarters but you are absolutely right, as also is Alan. There is no need for them to put up in a fancy London hotel at taxpayers expense. The Guards barracks would be ideal for them although haven't they been sold?

[Silver_Shiney]

The Guards barracks would be ideal for them although haven't they been sold?

I've got no idea - I'm well out of touch with that sort of thing. Even so, there are enough empty rooms in the basement of MoD Main Building - they could put up camp beds in the King Henry VII Wine Cellar! Pity there's no wine in there!!

[oldbluefox]

A block of flats in the Olympic village would have been ideal with shuttles to and from Westminster. Far cheaper than hotels and travel expenses within London (but probably not as luxurious).

[The Monocled Mutineer]

ChesterfieldJohn:

If MPs could not have second jobs:

a). No MP could become a minister.

b). The standard of MPs and their experience of business, professions and walks of life would become low.

MPs do require expenses related to having two work locations - Westminster and their locations and the House can sit till quite late. With the latter I have some sympathy for the idea of couple of blocks of designated, secure "crash-pads" paid from the public purse close to Westminster.

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[Manoverboard]

If you pay peanuts you get monkeys.

I have no problem with the numbers but do agree that they should be full, rather than part, time Members of the House. There should also be considerably fewer of them but I certainly do not agree with the idea that they should be dossing down in the stables someplace.

[Kendhni]

With the exception of the Prime Minister I also think that the only travel allowance an MP (or any public servant) can claim is for the 'cheapest travel option'. If they want to upgrade to first class, or private aircraft, or chauffeur driven vehicle then they pay for the difference out of their own pocket (a bit like everybody else would have to do).

[The Monocled Mutineer]

I would agree but certainly Cabinet Ministers as well as the Prime Minister and any of a minister's junior ministers, PPSs etc as he/she sees fit. There are security implications.

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