MPs will get a mammoth £2,200 pay rise from next month, it has been revealed.
The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) revealed the annual pay hike for Members of Parliament for 2022-23 - after it was frozen for two years during the Covid-19 pandemic.
But the 2.7% hike from £81,932 to £84,144 is likely to spark fury as the country braces for a cost of living crisis.
MPs’ pay is set by IPSA, the independent watchdog set up in the wake of the MPs’ expenses scandal.
The calculation is based on the average change in salaries for public sector workers in the last year.
Labour leader Keir Starmer opposed the move when it was first suggested in January, and the Mirror understands his position has not changed.
He said: “I think that MPs do not need a pay rise and we should all be saying that we don’t need that pay rise and it shouldn’t go ahead.
“The mechanism is independent but I think it’s for me, as leader of the opposition, to say that I do not think we should have that pay rise.”
And in January, Number 10 urged "restraint" from IPSA - given the pay rise will coincide with energy bills soaring for millions of families and a National Insurance hike tax for workers.
The Prime Minister's spokesman said: “I would say that would we would expect restraint on matters like this given current circumstances but beyond that I think it is right that we let IPSA set out the proposals as an independent body.”
Asked if the PM wouldn’t accept a pay rise himself, the spokesman replied: “I’m simply saying they haven’t set out any detail yet so I wouldn’t wish to comment while that independent process is taking place.
“Beyond that we would expect to see restraint on these issues.”
Richard Lloyd, IPSA’s Chair, said: “This is the first increase in pay for MPs in two years and follows the average of increases across the public sector last year. MPs play a vital role in our democracy and this is reflected in their pay."
He added: "It is right that MPs are paid fairly for the responsibility and the unseen work they do helping their constituents, which dramatically increased last year.
"For Parliament to reflect society, it is vital that people from all walks of life can be an MP.”
