MPs to Receive Proposed 2.8% Pay Increase, Raising Salaries to £93,904 – It’s Legal, and That’s Exactly the Problem
The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) has proposed a 2.8% salary hike for MPs, sparking public debate about fairness and inequality. It’s legal—and that’s exactly the problem as wages for other sectors lag behind inflation.
The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) has recommended a 2.8% pay rise for Members of Parliament (MPs), which would raise their annual salary to £93,904 from the current £91,346.
The proposal, set to take effect in April 2025 if approved, has drawn attention and criticism amid ongoing economic pressures and slow wage growth for many sectors.
Ipsa’s recommendation comes as part of its legal mandate to independently set MPs’ salaries, a responsibility it has held since its establishment in 2011 following the parliamentary expenses scandal.
This increase is in line with the government’s recommendation for public sector pay but slightly exceeds the current inflation rate of 2.5%, which the Bank of England predicts will rise later this year.
Since the start of the last parliament in 2019, MPs’ salaries have risen steadily from £79,468 to the current figure.
Ipsa Chairman Richard Lloyd defended the proposed pay increase, emphasizing that it reflects the broader conditions within the public sector and the important responsibilities MPs carry.
"Our pay proposal for 2025-26 reflects the experience of the wider working public sector population and the current economic climate," Lloyd said.
However, the announcement has triggered public criticism and concerns over fairness, particularly as many workers in both the public and private sectors face stagnant wages that fail to keep up with the rising cost of living.
Critics argue that while the proposed increase may be legal, it highlights broader inequalities as MPs’ wages continue to outpace those of many workers in struggling sectors.
Ipsa’s pay proposal is open for public consultation until mid-March.
The watchdog is also conducting a broader review of MPs’ salaries, a process required in the first year following a general election.
The review aims to evaluate whether current salary structures remain appropriate and aligned with public expectations.
Although MPs do not set their own salaries, the legal framework that enables such increases has drawn scrutiny from those who view it as emblematic of a system that protects politicians from the financial realities facing ordinary citizens.
As the consultation proceeds, the debate over MPs’ pay raises is expected to continue, with critics calling for reforms to the process to better reflect economic conditions affecting the majority of the population.
The proposal, set to take effect in April 2025 if approved, has drawn attention and criticism amid ongoing economic pressures and slow wage growth for many sectors.
Ipsa’s recommendation comes as part of its legal mandate to independently set MPs’ salaries, a responsibility it has held since its establishment in 2011 following the parliamentary expenses scandal.
This increase is in line with the government’s recommendation for public sector pay but slightly exceeds the current inflation rate of 2.5%, which the Bank of England predicts will rise later this year.
Since the start of the last parliament in 2019, MPs’ salaries have risen steadily from £79,468 to the current figure.
Ipsa Chairman Richard Lloyd defended the proposed pay increase, emphasizing that it reflects the broader conditions within the public sector and the important responsibilities MPs carry.
"Our pay proposal for 2025-26 reflects the experience of the wider working public sector population and the current economic climate," Lloyd said.
However, the announcement has triggered public criticism and concerns over fairness, particularly as many workers in both the public and private sectors face stagnant wages that fail to keep up with the rising cost of living.
Critics argue that while the proposed increase may be legal, it highlights broader inequalities as MPs’ wages continue to outpace those of many workers in struggling sectors.
Ipsa’s pay proposal is open for public consultation until mid-March.
The watchdog is also conducting a broader review of MPs’ salaries, a process required in the first year following a general election.
The review aims to evaluate whether current salary structures remain appropriate and aligned with public expectations.
Although MPs do not set their own salaries, the legal framework that enables such increases has drawn scrutiny from those who view it as emblematic of a system that protects politicians from the financial realities facing ordinary citizens.
As the consultation proceeds, the debate over MPs’ pay raises is expected to continue, with critics calling for reforms to the process to better reflect economic conditions affecting the majority of the population.
