A SOUTH Lakes MP has vowed to give away his pay rise if proposals are given the go-ahead by a parliamentary watchdog.

Tim Farron will donate his increase of £7,600 to local charities if the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) approves plans for an 11 per cent rise in MPs salaries.

“For MPs to be awarded a pay rise at a time when other people are having to cope with a pay-freeze, or a pay cut, is crass and unjustifiable,” he said.

“It’s right that MPs’ pay is no longer decided by MPs, and right that an independent body now makes that choice - but it shows a shocking example in difficult times like these for MPs to be awarded an increase.

“I have already objected to this rise when it was first suggested several months ago and I remain strongly of the view that this should not be happening.

“If the IPSA insists on pushing this through, I would expect to do what I did four years ago when we last had a rise, and give it away.”

Beneficiaries, he said, could include groups such as housing need charity, Manna House, in Kendal.

If approved, on Thursday, the pay rise will come into effect after the 2015 election, taking MPs salaries from £66,400 to £74,000 per year.

Furness MP John Woodcock also told his constituents he will give away anything ‘above the average wage rise at the time’.

He took to Twitter on Monday after the news was announced to say: “This so wrong when people struggling.”