Two Warwickshire MPs plan to vote against pay rise

Warwickshire Tory MPs Marcus Jones and Dan Byles have pledged to vote against a pay rise being proposed for Members of Parliament by the Independent Senior Salaries Review Body.



A one per cent increase has been approved by the review body but has attracted criticism from senior Conservative MP Sir George Young.

The Leader of the House has urged MPs to reject the rise.

Mr Jones, who represents Nuneaton, and Mr Byles, from North Warwickshire, have expressed concern over the move and have backed a decision by government ministers to take a five per cent pay cut this year and have their salaries frozen for the remainder of the current Parliament.

Mr Jones said: “Given that there is a two-year public sector pay freeze on salaries over £21,000, I cannot vote for the recommended increase in pay.

“Many hard-working people are struggling to meet their financial commitments at the moment and for their MPs to take a pay rise of any size would be a kick in the teeth for them.”

Mr Byles said: “The government has made it clear in recent months that when it comes to tackling the huge budget deficit, we are all in this together.

“I do not see how it is feasible for MPs to vote to increase their salaries, which are substantially higher than £21,000.

“It will further damage the public’s opinion of MPs following the expenses scandal of the previous Parliament.”