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Original poster

AIBU to be surprised by MPs earning £98k plus expenses?

223 replies

WhisperingHi · 14/09/2026 18:17

To have never realised that MPs earn £98k per year, plus expenses!

I don’t know how much I assumed they earned, maybe £50-60k. But ~£100k?!

For what?

Campaigning for local constituents - well from my personal experience, they actually have very little influence and nothing really seems to change. They may post a social media picture of themselves outside a building site, or shaking hands at a local school, but that’s come at a cost to us and for what?

I’m actually shocked. They don’t have a standard JD, nor do they have to have specific qualifications to do the job.

Yes, they have to suffer verbal abuse and maybe risk of physical abuse, but most people don’t know who they are, wouldn’t recognise them, and by their very nature of wanting to do the job, don’t mind the publicity it comes with.

Sorry, maybe I’m out of touch, but I’m genuinely shocked.

OP posts:
ItsAlwaysTwins · 14/09/2026 18:42

I thought your surprise was going to be that it’s not more.

It doesn’t seem like an adequate salary for the job, imo.

Jk987 · 14/09/2026 18:44

FullOfLemons · 14/09/2026 18:36

Most MPs don’t scrutinise legislation as they don’t understand it. Similarly the contribution to debates and committees work is limited

That leaves constituency work, which they do spend a great deal of time on.

And that is the problem, their primary job is as legislators. They can’t do that (as often they are too thick) and so they end up being glorified social workers, trying to sort out their constituents problems … some of which are ridiculous.

Not worth 100k plus another 50-75 in “expenses” for a close family member.

Show quote history

‘Too thick’

Nice, constructive comment there. With nothing to back it up.

unlimiteddilutingjuice · 14/09/2026 18:44

"they end up being glorified social workers, trying to sort out their constituents problems … some of which are ridiculous."

This was my job- I was a caseworker for an MP.
I know not everyone feels the same but I think casework is a completely legitimate use of an MP's time.
They are there to represent constituents in legislative branch of the state and also to the executive branch.

Many people will never come in contact with a government minister. Their experience of the executive branch happens in the Jobcentre, with the Inland Revenue, at the passport office, putting in an asylum claim.

They have a constitutional right to have someone represent their interests in all those situations.

thicklysettled · 14/09/2026 18:45

They aren't paid enough, in my opinion. If we want top talent we need to pay accordingly.

(I earn more as an individual contributor with no direct reports and nowhere near the stress levels or expectations of working hours.)

unlimiteddilutingjuice · 14/09/2026 18:46

"Trying watching some of BBC Parliament - it restores your faith in MPs when you see them on Select Committees"

Select Committees are my favorite too Tinybluedent

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 14/09/2026 18:48

Well, OP, if you think it looks like a cushy number, then I guess you could always put yourself forward as a candidate at the next election?

Ted27 · 14/09/2026 18:49

@WhisperingHi

If people don't know who their MP is and wouldn't recognise them, them that really is their problem, not the MPs. Its not exactly secret information.

UniquePinkSwan · 14/09/2026 18:51

Do you want the people running the country to be on minimum wage?

NamelessNancy · 14/09/2026 19:07

If they are not well paid the only people entering politics will be those who are already wealthy giving us a House of Commons even more full old Etonians. I agree with PPs that I'd rather they were better paid to attract the best tbh. It's a responsible job with little in the way of job security.

PigletMum40 · 14/09/2026 19:16

I think we should pay MPs far more and get the brightest and the best. I would love to be a MP but the 400k paycut isn't appealing.......

DurinsBane · 14/09/2026 19:16

StableCable · 14/09/2026 18:28

It annoys me that they get expenses as well as a massive wage. Every other public sector work has to take their own tea bags and milk into work if they want a cup of tea

Edited

I don’t and I don’t think anyone in my industry (which is gradually becoming public more and more every few months) does. If we want fancy ones then yes.

FullOfLemons · 14/09/2026 19:22

Jk987 · 14/09/2026 18:44

‘Too thick’

Nice, constructive comment there. With nothing to back it up.

Show quote history

Here you go

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19801666

AFigureWalks · 14/09/2026 19:23

Our MP is out and about every day and works tirelessly. He really does earn his keep and engages on social
media.
We had Liam Fox
prior to him and he did sweet FA.

yesohno · 14/09/2026 19:30

We need to pay them more than that tbh if we want the best people to do the job.

bananaobama · 14/09/2026 19:31

Who would do it for £40k?

honestly!

most of them give up well paid careers to become a public servant! And they’re only guaranteed to be in office for about 4 years

they work long hours and most work 6 days a week. They’re often in parliament late at night voting

you obviously are clueless

Pootles34 · 14/09/2026 19:36

Er no, they run the country. Pretty important job?!

bananaobama · 14/09/2026 19:45

PigletMum40 · 14/09/2026 19:16

I think we should pay MPs far more and get the brightest and the best. I would love to be a MP but the 400k paycut isn't appealing.......

Exactly. We want the brightest and best for this crucial
job

KatiePricesKnickers · 14/09/2026 19:48

Most average IT bods with some specialist knowledge earn more than an MP.
The MP’s are definitely underpaid by a margin.

apples24 · 14/09/2026 19:49

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh · 14/09/2026 18:29

I get paid more for a job with less responsibility so I don’t think it’s unreasonable.

If anything, I think it’s uncompetitive. Salaries should attract the best candidates. Maybe that’s where Westminster goes wrong.

This

AlexandraCarrington · 14/09/2026 19:51

BBC presenters' salaries 2025-26:

1 Scott Mills £745,000-£749,999
2 Greg James £440,000-£444,999
3 Stephen Nolan £425,000-£429,999
4= Vernon Kay £405,000-£409,999
4= Laura Kuenssberg £405,000-£409,999
6 Alan Shearer £390,000-£394,999
7 Justin Webb £375,000-£379,999
8 Naga Munchetty £360,000-£364,999
9 Fiona Bruce £345,000-£349,999
10 Sophie Raworth £340,000-£344,999

Would you enjoy being grilled by Laura K, knowing she rakes in four times what you do?

bananaobama · 14/09/2026 19:55

AlexandraCarrington · 14/09/2026 19:51

BBC presenters' salaries 2025-26:

1 Scott Mills £745,000-£749,999
2 Greg James £440,000-£444,999
3 Stephen Nolan £425,000-£429,999
4= Vernon Kay £405,000-£409,999
4= Laura Kuenssberg £405,000-£409,999
6 Alan Shearer £390,000-£394,999
7 Justin Webb £375,000-£379,999
8 Naga Munchetty £360,000-£364,999
9 Fiona Bruce £345,000-£349,999
10 Sophie Raworth £340,000-£344,999

Would you enjoy being grilled by Laura K, knowing she rakes in four times what you do?

How can they justify those salaries for dimwits like
vernon kay 🫣

Backedoffhackedoff · 14/09/2026 19:56

Do you really know what the job is though?

Mumof2wifeof1crazytimes · 14/09/2026 19:59

I think it is pitched at the right level, the issue is it should be linked to performance like the majority of the everyone else (no idea how though). I think the PM should get a better salary to attract top talent given our current and past PMs can’t even balance the books! If the PM salary was bench marked again CEOs of large organisations there would be more candidates with a better skill set.

MagneticSquirrel · 14/09/2026 19:59

I wouldn’t do it for as little as 98k

StableCable · 14/09/2026 19:59

catgirl1976 · 14/09/2026 18:30

I don’t think it’s enough actually. It won’t attract the best people. And we certainly don’t have those so….maybe if we paid more we’d get good people.

Why don't we (as a society) apply this to other public sector jobs?