MPs may get extra £15,000

MPs should get an extra £15,000 a year after the next general election, according to a new Parliamentary watchdog.

If this goes ahead the annual increase would be more than the earnings of the 20 per cent lowest paid workers in the South West.

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) was set up last July to regulate MPs' expenses. It was a response to the public outcry following revelations about claims made under the existing expenses and allowances scheme for MPs. 

Senior MPs have been told by the head the organisation, Professor Sir Ian Kennedy, that a steep increase in salary could eventually be granted to compensate for loses in perks.

This increase would take a backbencher's salary to £80,000, a 23 per cent increase.

Sir Ian has suggested he is willing to reconsider the idea in light of "strong views". 
It has been suggested he may favour a more regulated version of the present expenses scheme.

More than half of Westcountry MPs employ husbands and wives, claiming they provide good value for money for the taxpayer.

Mark Wallace, campaign director of the Taxpayers' Alliance, said it would be "an outrage" if MPs emerged from the expenses scandal better paid than before.

"It is absolutely scandalous if the chairman of the IPSA is conniving to increase MP's pay. This man is meant to be overseeing the reform of MPs pay and allowances in a way that will restore public confidence in Parliament." said Mr Wallace.

The consulation period for this proposal ends on February 11th.