MP pay rise should not go ahead
Since 2011, the salary of every member of Parliament is determined by an independent body, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA).
Last week, IPSA made a proposal to increase the amount that every MP is paid by over £3,000 a year.
Let me be absolutely clear: I did not ask for this pay increase and I do not agree with it.
At a time when people in the East end and across the UK are losing their jobs and others are seeing big drops in their household income, it is simply ridiculous for MPs to receive such a big pay rise.
I have written to IPSA to make my feelings absolutely clear and to ask that they halt these plans. I appreciate that many of my constituents will feel strongly about this and may want to do the same.
IPSA is currently holding a consultation on this, which can be accessed on their website. You can tell IPSA exactly what you think by responding to this consultation, and I would encourage you to do so.
Please note that the consultation ends at 11:59 pm on 6th November 2020.
Read my letter to the interim Chair of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority below:
Mr. Richard Lloyd
Interim Chair
Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority
85 Strand
London
WC2R 0DW
Friday 9th October 2020
Dear Mr. Lloyd
I was disappointed to learn from reading in The Times Newspaper this morning of IPSA’s proposal to award a significant pay increase to Members of Parliament.
I appreciate that the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority is by its very definition independent of MPs but I do want to place on record my strong objection to the proposed pay increase for Members of Parliament.
I did not ask for this pay increase and I do not agree with it. Many of my constituents at the moment are furloughed or face the prospect of losing their job and I cannot begin to tell you how utterly inappropriate the suggestion of awarding such a ridiculous pay increase to Members of Parliament is going to be seen by the electorate who are making enormous sacrifices at what is a difficult time.
I would strongly recommend that you reconsider what is at best an ill-judged proposal that cannot and should not find support amongst most Members of Parliament.
I trust you will take these comments on board and I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
David Linden MP
Photo by Dominika Gregušová from Pexels
