South Cumbria’s MPs have given their thoughts after it was revealed they will receive a five per cent pay increase from next month.
Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, and Michelle Scrogham, MP for Barrow and Furness, have both commented on the news that MPs’ basic salaries are set to rise in April.
The rise means that MPs will soon be earning £98,599 a year.
MPs’ salaries are set by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa).
In the announcement, Ipsa also stated that it is aiming to continue raising MPs’ salaries in the coming years.
For example, the independent authority is wanting to give MPs a £110,000 a year salary by the end of the current Parliament, which is due to end in 2029.
Mr Farron, a senior figure within the Liberal Democrat Party, suggested that MPs receiving pay rises at this current time was poor judgment on behalf of Ipsa.
“Pay increases are rightly decided by an independent body – not MPs,” said Mr Farron.
“But at a time when so many people are struggling with the cost of living, I feel that it’s outrageous and frankly cloth-eared for MPs to be given a 5% pay rise.
“I will be donating the excessive rise to local charities and organisations.”
Labour’s Michelle Scrogham said: “MPs get absolutely no say in this [pay rise], the level is set by an independent body.
“It is important that the decision is made independently, is transparent, and open to scrutiny.”
Explaining the decision to give MPs a pay rise, Ipsa’s chair Richard Lloyd said: “The role of an MP has evolved.
“They are dealing with higher levels of complex casework, and abuse and intimidation towards MPs and their staff has been growing.”
“In reaching our decision for 2026-27, we have benchmarked MPs’ pay against other responsible, senior roles in civic society and similar worldwide democracies, as well as considering our own core principles and the wider economic context.”
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