To think MPs should not be getting any more pay rises

[P3N]

Just read a news article saying on the 1st April 2023 MPs are to get a 2.9% pay increase.
I'm actually raging. With everything going on around them, this feels like another kick in the teeth. Can't pay nurses, teachers or train drivers but can pay themselves. 🤔

Oh and don't get me started on the medal of service idea they are thinking about for MPs because that's a joke too!

So AIBU to think they shouldn't be getting ANOTHER pay rise?

This

I agree with this. Pay them more, but that's it, no second jobs.

And stop subsidising the bars in Westminster.

Subsidies need to stop, as do second jobs but I can't get worked up over the pay rise. I wouldn't do it for that money, but I wouldn't go into any of the vocations because they have always been underpaid.

Agree with the OP, and the mention of expenses (no second home allowances for anyone representing a London and the South East constituency as an example).

I'd also make any false or 'mistake' claims mean the recall process is triggered.

@LlynTegid London MPs don’t get a second home allowance. And no one can buy a house on expenses any more (rightly) it’s all rents.

and the people who say the expenses regime should be more rigorous should try claiming using their system. Every claim requires a receipt (as it should) and then completion of the following details in an online form:
Which budget (office/accommodation/staff/travel)
who is claiming (MP or staff)
what it is from drop down category
what it is (free form description)
how long it’s for (eg gas bill for office - 2 months)
where it is for (constituency office/accommodation/london office)
which months (Jan-feb)
date of invoice
amount of invoice

if you get the category wrong (eg click landline instead of landline & broadband) that is rejected and the claim is labelled as wrong. And you start again.

every mileage claim has to state:
date
Who is travelling (MP or staff)
type of travel (bike/car)
distance in miles
Type of travel (within constituency/London to constituency/ various other things)
drop down boxes from and to (London/office etc)
freeform box stating reason for travel and where from and to.

everything has to be claimed within 3 months or it’s rejected. All claims must have original invoices or they’re rejected. there are set budgets for everything apart from travel. You can see all claims on the IPSA website.

What more is needed?

Apart from rent and staff wages, everything else (office electricity, paper, phone lines & broadband, printer ink etc etc) is paid for by the MP personally and then claimed back. Every month.
there is a credit card that can be used, then every line in the statement has to be given the same info as above.

And the expenses staff sometimes tell you the wrong info to put in, so the claim is rejected.

is it really fair for MPs to be subject to recall petition for that?

Now replace all “MP” mentions in this post with “nurse”

I think MPs should be paid in line with senior corporate roles (so more than they get now) but that there should be much stricter rules about earning other incomes. The summer recess should go and they should be 100% working for their constituents and the country. Most of them seem to treat it as a side gig and a way to increase their profile for their ‘real earner’.

Before the inevitable Tory bashing starts (continues)
news.sky.com/story/former-labour-mp-jared-omara-jailed-for-four-years-over-fraudulent-cocaine-expenses-12806834

I think MPs should be on performance-related pay, and be subject to annual performance reviews like every other public sector worker - reviewed by a panel of their constituents and local newspaper editors and councillors, perhaps.

Yes, he’s already been mentioned. Along with another Labour MP. I may have missed it but only one person has mentioned the Tories and no tory MP has been mentioned. I think the point of the thread was to discuss an issue not engage in tedious tribal whataboutery.

"Tedious tribal whataboutery"

" I also think the current crop of Tory MPs are corrupt, incompetent, and in some cases, downright idiotic."

Oh, and a tory MP has been mentioned by name btw

Given how many of them seem to find the time and energy to have lucrative second/ third/ fourth jobs, being an MP is a part time job.
the pay seems generous for that. And of course add the expenses, the subsidised food and drink.
Also although the practice has now been stopped, many are still historically employing family members on generous salaries with no public scrutiny or process.
unlike the situation with the public sector, there’s no shortage of people wanting to become MPs.

There is no way I would be an MP for the salary they get. It’s a joke for the amount of responsibility and personal risk.

FFS.

I think they do ok considering how much they can claim for expenses too. And no the majority aren't worth it and don't deserve it.

If only they'd go on strike. Permanently

They get a separate allowance to pay their staff.

What responsibility? A back bench MP has zero responsibility.

Meh this happens every year. I think it's fair enough.

Lunde do you know that the way MP's are paid has changed since 2010 and the expenses scandal? They can no longer claim the expenses in the way they could so their pay increased considerably.

I don't think MPs are paid enough, especially when you consider that most of them need two homes one of which has to be in London, where even a tiny studio flat costs a fortune.

It's a very responsible job and most of them work extremely hard.

I'm a teacher and have had a 5% pay rise.

GCAcademic I think responsibility as supreme law makers is huge.

I wouldn't want to be judged or paid according to the performance of the worst people in my profession. We can all name people who are bad at any job.

Since 2010 mps have seen their pay rise by 28%, in a period during which the average wage has stagnated. Indeed the uk is currently 'enjoying' 25 years of wage stagnation. Apart from Mps of course. As for the wage of £80,000 being 'not up with professionals, that's exactly as it should be - because they aren't. The argument that its commensurate with the responsibility is actually quite funny, and shows how few people understand what a cabinet minister, never mind an ordinary mp does. To fill you in, cabinet ministers do very little work, that's what the under secretary and the grade 1 level are there for. They are in turn advised by their staff who provide all the information to the minister and explain (in language a child could understand) what is going on, why, where and how. When a minister, including the pm responds to questions, it's not they, but civil servants that prepared those answers. As for ordinary mps, they are simply there to ask loaded questions to the leaders, given to them by their party. Other than that they're just lobby fodder. Oh, and some of them occasionally bother to attend surgeries. As for the idea they lose out by being an mp, what utter rubbish. Cabinet ministers expect top jobs in return for the 'push' they give to their favourite causes, the city, banking, big energy etc. Even back benchers can expect to do well from lobby groups. Anyone who thinks mps are underpaid, or that paying them more would prevent corruption clearly hasn't read the massive amount of evidence that shows mps pay makes zero difference to corruption or ability.

But, again, it’s a notional responsibility. Plenty of MPs don’t turn up to vote, or play any part in drafting Bills or amendments, and there’s no consequences if they don’t.

shows how few people understand what a cabinet minister, never mind an ordinary mp does. @Marge1963 Quite honestly, you're the one who appears not to have any idea, going by this post.