MPs to get pay rise from April for ‘dramatically increased duties’ last year

MPs will get a pay rise of more than £2,000 from April for their ‘dramatically increased duties’ last year, despite the looming cost of living crisis.

Members of Parliament are set for a £2,200 annual increase, raising their salaries by 2.7% from £81,932 to £84,144, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) has announced.

They also receive expenses to cover the costs of running an office, employing staff, having somewhere to live in London or their constituency, and travelling between Parliament and their constituency.

Richard Lloyd, IPSA’s Chair, said: “MPs play a vital role in our democracy and this is reflected in their pay.

“It is right that MPs are paid fairly for the responsibility and the unseen work they do helping their constituents, which dramatically increased last year.”

This comes as the cost of living is poised to climb to its highest in decades, with a 54% rise in the energy price cap expected from April 1st due to soaring wholesale gas prices. 

This will result in energy prices rising by an average £693 a year for millions of households across the UK.

Last month, Rishi Sunak announced that vast majority’ of households across the UK will receive a £350 loan from the government to help with the rising cost of energy bills.

This loan will have to be paid back in £40 instalments over a period of five years, starting from next April.

The Chancellor said: “Without government action, this could be incredibly tough for millions of hardworking families… So the government is going to step in to directly help people manage those extra costs.”