15/05/2007
MLAs receive ‘45% pay rise’
Assembly members in Northern Ireland are set to have their office allowances increased by around 45%, sources have revealed.
Secretary of State Peter Hain recommended an independent body review the salaries, and just days before devolution was restored the decision was made to raise the money from just under £50,000 to £70,000.
The expenses allow the MLAs to employ people and help carry out their constituency work as well as pay for the rent of office accommodation.
Each MLA is now ensured a total package of over £110,000 and the figure could increase if an MLA has extra responsibilities like being a Committee Chair, or has speaker duties.
Meanwhile, First Minister Ian Paisley is due to address the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association at Stormont, which is in Northern Ireland for its 38th conference, with delegates from Europe, Pakistan and South Africa.
Sinn Fein yesterday said that while it would not back an Ulster Unionist call for the assembly to rejoin the association, it would not be opposing it.
Brian Wilson of the Green Party has called for a review of the new rating system which he believes unfairly discriminates against people living on their own.
“Let’s have our own tax raising powers. The Scottish Parliament does have and there’s no reason why we couldn’t be given the same powers,” Mr Wilson said.
He added that those in single occupancy, mainly pensioners, should enjoy a rebate on their rates like the rest of the UK.
(JM/KMcA)
Secretary of State Peter Hain recommended an independent body review the salaries, and just days before devolution was restored the decision was made to raise the money from just under £50,000 to £70,000.
The expenses allow the MLAs to employ people and help carry out their constituency work as well as pay for the rent of office accommodation.
Each MLA is now ensured a total package of over £110,000 and the figure could increase if an MLA has extra responsibilities like being a Committee Chair, or has speaker duties.
Meanwhile, First Minister Ian Paisley is due to address the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association at Stormont, which is in Northern Ireland for its 38th conference, with delegates from Europe, Pakistan and South Africa.
Sinn Fein yesterday said that while it would not back an Ulster Unionist call for the assembly to rejoin the association, it would not be opposing it.
Brian Wilson of the Green Party has called for a review of the new rating system which he believes unfairly discriminates against people living on their own.
“Let’s have our own tax raising powers. The Scottish Parliament does have and there’s no reason why we couldn’t be given the same powers,” Mr Wilson said.
He added that those in single occupancy, mainly pensioners, should enjoy a rebate on their rates like the rest of the UK.
(JM/KMcA)
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13 September 2006
Hanson defends new capital value rating system
Finance Minister, David Hanson MP has defended the new capital value rating system and reaffirmed his decision not to introduce a maximum limit, explaining that a cap would have to be paid for by other ratepayers.
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