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Boris Johnson says MPs shouldn’t get a pay rise during the coronavirus pandemic
It would be on top of their £81,932 annual salary.
Downing Street has said Boris Johnson believes MP should not receive an annual pay rise.
Next year, MPs are expected to receive a pay rise of £3,360 on top of their £81,932 annual salary, causing anger among the public as it comes at a time when ordinary people are struggling.
However, a Downing Street spokesperson has said that Mr Johnson has already frozen ministerial pay as he does not believe MPs should get a pay rise.
The spokesperson said: “MP’s salaries are obviously decided by an independent body but given the circumstances, the PM doesn’t believe MPs should be receiving a pay rise”.
On top of their annual salary, MPs are also able to claim allowances to cover the cost of running an office, employing staff and maintaining a constituency residence or residence in London.
News of the potential pay rise has caused outrage after thousands have lost their jobs in the pandemic. The exact amount of the pay rise is yet to be confirmed.
The PM’s statement comes following an awkward interview between Matt Hancock and Good Morning Britain presenter Piers Morgan.
Piers said he would ‘love’ to hear the Health Secretary refuse a pay rise in the struggling economy.
Hancock said: “That’s what all ministers did in the pay freeze that there was after the global financial crash – me included.
“Let’s see what the final recommendation is and then I’ll come… I know, I’ll promise to commit to coming back on this programme immediately after that decision comes through and then I’ll let you know. I will answer this question when the pay policy has been set out by the chancellor.”
Piers interrupted and said: “I’m just asking you to say you are not personally going to take a penny.
“Just say I, Matt Hancock, right now tell Good Morning Britain viewers that in all good conscience it would be wrong of me to take a penny in a pay rise this year. And I am going to put my hand up and lead.”
Hancock, who is believed to be paid an annual salary in the region of £140,000, said: “It’s very tempting, it’s very tempting Piers. I am a stickler for not pre-judging things. You can’t knock me off the perch.”
Piers responded: “You’re not a parrot, you’re the Health Secretary in the year of the catastrophic handling of the pandemic.”