Brown to battle MPs over new pay rise
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Gordon Brown is on a collision course with MPs from all parties as they demand an inflation-plus pay rise.
A long-delayed review of MPs' salaries next month by the Senior Salaries Review Body is expected to recommend a 6,000 increase by 2011 the equivalent of more than 3 per cent a year. MPs currently earn 60,675 a year.
The issue will be settled in a free vote but ministers will be ordered to support limiting pay rises to about 2 per cent, in line with the target for the public sector. Mr Brown fears that a bigger rise will alienate public sector workers.
Research by the Commons Library shows that MPs would be about 5,500 a year better off if their salaries had kept pace with increases in average earnings since 2002.
John Butterfill, a senior Tory backbencher, said: "We do have an official review body which is supposed to make sure [MPs] keep in line with other professions. I would hope that the Government agrees with the review body's recommendations."
But Mr Brown will urge MPs to set an example to the rest of the public sector.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments