13/03/2018

Secretary Of State 'Minded' To Reduce MLA's Pay

The Secretary of State has confirmed that she is "minded" to reduce MLA's pay following the collapse of the Stormont talks.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Karen Bradley said she would discuss the issue with political parties in Northern before deciding on the 27.5% cut in wages.

At the end of last year, Assembly Chief Executive Trevor Reaney recommended the reduction in a move that would take the average salary of £49,500 to £35,888 in two stages.

Mrs Bradley said: "I will seek to introduce legislation to take a power to vary MLA pay. Further to that, I am minded to reduce pay in line with the Reaney Review recommendation, but I would welcome full and final representations from the NI parties before I make a final decision.

"These measures - which I take reluctantly, but which are necessary in the absence of a functioning Executive and Assembly - will deliver the stability and the decisions to enable forward planning for the financial year ahead."

(CD/LM)

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