MPs' pay will increase by 5.5% from April

Image source, UK Parliament

  • Author, Chas Geiger
  • Role, Political reporter

MPs will get a pay rise of 5.5% from April, lifting their annual salary to 拢91,346, Parliament's pay and expenses watchdog has announced.

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) said the decision was in line with the award recently agreed for senior civil servants.

The Consumer Prices Index inflation rate stood at 4% in January.

Last year, Ipsa said a 2.9% increase took account of an "extremely difficult" economic backdrop.

, Richard Lloyd, chair of Ipsa, emphasised that the independent body's aimed to make decisions on pay that were "fair... both for MPs and the public".

"Serving as an MP should not be reserved to those wealthy enough to fund it themselves. We believe our decision recognises the vital role MPs play in our democracy and considers the continued economic challenges facing the country.

"We are committed to supporting a Parliament that reflects our society, where people from all walks of life can decide to become MPs."

Ministerial salaries

Backbench MPs who chair cross-party select committees, such as the Treasury committee and the defence committee, are entitled to an additional salary of 拢17,354, as of April 2023, which is also set by Ipsa.

Currently, Rishi Sunak receives an additional 拢75,440 as prime minister, on top of his MP's salary, taking his total pay from April to 拢166,786.

Cabinet ministers get an extra 拢67,505 on top of their MP's pay, ministers of state 拢31,680, and the most junior ministers 拢22,375.

Downing Street said ministers were already waiving part of the additional amounts they were entitled to, and that these salaries had not increased since 2010.

As leader of the opposition, Sir Keir Starmer receives an extra 拢49,193. Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle gets an additional 拢79,760.

Ipsa was created in 2009, largely as a response to the MPs' expenses scandal, in an attempt to make payments more transparent and to reach independent decisions on MPs' salaries.

Previously, MPs determined their own salaries and expenses.

Last August, Ipsa announced that severance pay for MPs leaving Parliament at the next general election - expected later this year - would double. Following this April's pay award, it will rise to more than 拢20,000.

Former MPs will receive four months' net pay instead of two, while they close their office and manage the departure of their staff. Ipsa said the two-month period was not long enough.

Nearly 100 MPs have announced they will not stand again at the general election - including former Prime Minister Theresa May last week.