MPs set to get £2,000 pay rise on same day that energy bills rocket for thousands

MPs are now under pressure to scrap their annual pay rise

MPs are set to received a pay rise of more than £2,000 on the same day that taxes and bills will soar for thousands across the country this year. On April 1, politicians are in line to see their salary increase from £81,932 to £84,000. But on the same day, households will be hit by rising National Insurance bills, energy costs and council tax. The Taxpayers’ Alliance has criticised the potential increase with its chief executive saying politicians should be paid in line with the "country’s economic performance." MP's get a pay rise every year that is linked to average public sector pay increases. This year, this would see politicians get a 2.7 percent increase. But there is now pressure for the pay rise to be scrapped, just as it was last year due to the pandemic. The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA), the expenses regulator, has the power to do the same again. On Friday, the IPSA said "a decision on MPs' pay for 2022-23 will be taken early in 2022" adding that any decision "will take into account ONS data as well as other relevant information". But the Taxpayers’ Alliance told the Sun: "Now is not the time for MPs to get a pay rise." Its boss, John O’Connell, said: "Politicians’ pay should be linked to the country’s economic performance — to show we’re all in it together." Chancellor Rishi Sunak is already facing a backlash in the Commons and amongst MPs in his own party over plans to hike National Insurance in April, as the cost of living continues to rise across the country. https://twitter.com/PoliticsJOE_UK/status/1478758169862094858 Related links: Unvaccinated doctor challenges Sajid Javid over mandatory jabs for NHS staff Martin Lewis issues warning to households over fixing energy prices Former SNP MP Margaret Ferrier to stand trial over Covid breach