23/01/2020

Political Leaders Reject £1k Pay Rise

Leaders of the five main political parties at Stormont have rejected the proposed £1,000 pay rise for MLAs.

A joint statement released by the DUP, Sinn Fein, SDLP, UUP and Alliance leaders asked for the pay rise to be deferred after it was announced on Tuesday that Stormont MLAs would benefit from the salary boost.

The pay rise, from £49,500 to £50,500, was set by the Independent Financial Review Panel (IFRP) following a 2016 report.

It had been initially blocked while devolution was suspended.

Party leaders said they share in the "broad public dismay" expressed at the development, which came just weeks after the NI Assembly was fully restored.

"We have had a range of concerns over time around recommendations emerging from the Independent Financial Review Panel," the statement read.

"We are jointly asking the Assembly Commission that any pay proposal is immediately deferred until the work of the Financial Review Panel has been comprehensively reviewed, and a new panel has the opportunity to consider this matter again and produce a fresh determination.

"We recognise that a number of MLAs and Parties have indicated if the proposed pay increase cannot be halted, they will donate any additional sum to local causes and charities."



(JG/CM)

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