Dales hits out at MP pay rise

Mansfield Bus Station officially opens. Station is officially opened by MP Patrick McLoughlin, pictured

Dales residents have hit out at proposals to give MPs an 11 per cent pay rise at a time when many workers are facing pay freezes and cuts.

Under the reforms MPs’ annual pay would soar from £66,396 this year to £74,000 in 2015.

The increase, proposed by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa), comes despite strong criticism from party leaders David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband.

Derbyshire Dales MP and transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin refused to confirm or deny whether he would accept the pay increase.

He said: “The Government has been pressing the case that IPSA should take into account overall public sector pay and pensions restraint. I support that approach.”

The proposals have been met with anger by many Dales people, who see them as a decadent pay rise in times of austerity.

Commenting on the issue on the Mercury’s Facebook page, Kathy Keyworth Hallsworth said: “And this is why pension age will keep going up, and rates keep going up, and our bills keep going up.

“I could go on but there is no point because they will keep doing what they want to do because they can – no matter what party they are from. The rich get richer the poor get poorer.”

Hazel Greenwood added: “I’ve had a cut in real terms of 13 per cent over the last four years and a 50 per cent increase in workload.

“This increase is despicable and shows that MPs don’t care about their constituents, just their own pockets.”

Elliott Cunningham commented: “When they run the country 11 per cent better they can have their rise.”

Les Davis said: “Personally, I would pay them 100K but no other jobs, no expenses, no other homes, no other perks.”

A Downing Street spokesman said: “MPs’ pay is a matter for Ipsa.”