BARNSLEY’S three MPs have responded to the news that they are set to receive a 2.8 per cent pay rise this year - taking their annual wages to almost £94,000.
The increase has been made following a review by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA).
The organisation launched a small-scale technical consultation with consultees and stakeholders in February and the board confirmed that MPs’ salaries will be uprated by 2.8 per cent earlier this month.
The increase will take an MP’s annual salary to £93,904, up from £91,346.
A spokesperson for Ipsa said the move was made following ‘data-based decision-making’.
They said: “MPs’ pay is a contentious topic but we do a lot of research to enable us to make a decision that provides an appropriate salary for the responsibility and complexity of the role, while also safeguarding public money.
“MPs’ salaries and pensions are the only remuneration MPs personally receive from us.
“Business costs - such as staffing and office costs - are provided to enable MPs to work from two locations and fully fulfil their parliamentary duties to support and represent their constituents.”
However the move has sparked controversy among the general public, as MPs prepare to vote on moves that will see an estimated million disabled people lose their benefits as part of major welfare reforms.
Barnsley North MP Dan Jarvis told the Chronicle: “IPSA have rightly made their recommendation entirely independently of MPs and they have decided to award an increase in line with hard-working public-sector workers.
“My work as an MP ranges from urgent and complex casework to voting on extraordinarily difficult matters.
“I work seven days a week and very long, unsociable hours.
“I serve my constituents in Barnsley North, not for what I can get out of it, but for what I can put into it.”
Marie Tidball, MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, said that ordinary people must be able to enter Parliament.
She added: “This is a decision made - without the involvement of MPs - to be in line with government pay recommendations for public sector workers.
“We must ensure that ordinary people, without personal finances and large savings, are able to enter Parliament.”
Barnsley South MP Stephanie Peacock echoed their sentiments and added: “MPs’ pay and expenses are set by IPSA who consider a wide range of metrics to decide upon any proposals to change the rate of pay received.
“It is right that an independent body like IPSA has the responsibility of overseeing MPs’ pay and of making decisions on this without the input of Parliament.
“It is also essential that MPs’ pay and expenses are fully transparent.”
