To think MPs are underpaid

[Donotpanicoknowpanic]

Okay hear me out on this

If you want high quality people you need to pay them

If not the best most intelligent people will pursue career's in business and we will be left with people making second rate decisions which are incredibly important for the UK

The UK needs to make the right decisions on a whole host of important topics (not just the NHS and benefits)

But policy's on AI, transitions to green energy encouraging businesses to invest in the UK etc

These are serious topics that require a vast knowledge to understand

If you want to encourage people who have that knowledge to be an MP and help make those decisions

You need to pay them the rate they would get from businesses who also want them

(I am not an MP and will never run as one so no one please say I'm trying to get a pay rise)

No, they aren't.

I do think they are under paid, as is the PM.

I agree - I earn twice what an MP does and my job makes little difference to anyone. Pay more and access a broader talent pool.

I think what takes the piss is that some council leaders are getting more money than the actual prime minister I don’t think that should be right especially when people are paying council

Pay isn’t great for what is a very full on job if done well. There are also risks - two MPs have been murdered in the quite recent past.

However they don’t just get that pay they do get other things like a second home basically allowance also energy paid as well. I think there’s a lot of other things you have to consider that they do get like travelling costs so I don’t think it’s just a flat wage that you can compare it to.

I tend to agree. The reason we get stuck with Tory toffs who are completely removed from society is because it attracts wealthy power hungry people who do not rely on the salary. The same happens in the senior civil service, it creates a very un-dynamic environment.

I never thought so but having seen how poor Lord Alii has to buy not only the PMs clothes and glasses but his wife( in name only) underwear they really must be on the breadline.

Actually, I agree with you OP. The days of people going into politics as an act of service are largely over, I think - so if we want good people we need to pay them. Same as any industry.

Overpaid as many have other jobs

The basic annual salary of a Member of Parliament (MP) in the House of Commons is £91,346, plus expenses.
They can also have second jobs.
They are not badly done to.

Yep. The fact I get paid more than an MP blows my mind. My level of contribution and responsibility pales into insignificance in comparison.

They are massively underpaid. The issue is they have power without proper recompense. It’s not healthy in a democracy. And it leads to the same old over privileged types taking on the roles.

A successful lawyer or accountant for example would not be attracted by the current salary unless they had private means on top.

They should be on at least £200k, and second jobs completely forbidden. And the revolving door from parliament to board room should be forbidden for say 2 years post leaving parliament

I think MPs are paid enough, especially with the allowances etc, they are paid more than alot of the highly experienced and often highly qualified professionals who advise them/work across government.

I do think 'access' to being an MP is where the issue lies, unless you have private funding or are influential and can secure investment then really there's little to no chance of even having a tiny slither of a chance. Widening this somehow would be the biggest factor.

A quick google will tell you that their "most common" expenses on top of their £91,000 salary can be claimed to cover:

Vehicles
Home
Travel
Food
Childcare
Phones
Loans and overdrafts
Pensions contributions
Work clothes
Office decorations
Staff parties

Then there are loads more under less common but still seemingly allowed expenses. Imagine if you didn't have to pay for anything on the above list from your wage. The seemingly modest wage is a bit of a smokescreen.

I have no problem increasing their salary but only on the condition that they do not have second jobs. We should expect our MP's to be full time.

I suspect that their political connections is the reason they get offered other jobs and suspect most would not trade a those jobs for a pay rise which should tell you all you need to know about how corrupt/broken the system is.

I also think there should be a cap on expenses.

I totally agree. I earn an awful lot more than the PM and my job is nowhere near as important.

I think it would help increase the diversity of MPs too as it's quite a gamble to quit your career for a job that may well be less well paid (e.g. it would be a pay cut for most doctors and lawyers) You're also at risk of having no job come the next election.

All that means that being a politician is much more viable with family money behind you.

Totally agree my very clever ds earned more than mps in his first graduate job. It’s not going to attract real talent without the pay being appropriate.

Earned more than £91k plus very generous expenses in his first graduate job?

@Sugarflub yes but he was very clever.

They are paid well over the average. There's no qualifications or experience for this role, they are not performance managed and no one seems to monitor performance or commitment (ie Nigel Farrage, only turns up for self promotion and lies about being told not to hold surgeries). They can all continue with other professions/roles and have generous allowances, subsidised meals and bars, plus the kudos of their positions. Which many seem to work to the max. They also have a very generous pension scheme and recompense if they lose their seat or additional positions.
My heart bleeds

Most MPs take a paycut to become an MP. FWIW I don't think it's the money that puts people off, it's the public scrutiny. No sensible person would want that. So you end up with the same type of flawed personalities as are in the media.

The issue is not that MPs are hard done by. The issue is attracting the right people. Who will do the job properly

Yes but I’d also get rid of all the ceremonial guff and move them to an ordinary building in the midlands. It’s such a weird job and so many are attracted to the glamour / profile rather than the duty.

I have no problem increasing their salary but only on the condition that they do not have second jobs. We should expect our MP's to be full time.

Yes I agree with this, and whilst we need to safeguard democracy, I think there should be more accountability for MPs not engaging in the role, I think it was Nadine Dorries that was not attending debates or answering enquiries. It becomes a postcode lottery as to how effective your MP is, sadly the electorate aren't engaged either to keep democracy efficient.