Richard Harrington MP Donates Pay Rise to Local Charities
Richard Harrington, MP for Watford, has donated his pay to 20 local charities after appealing to charities to come forward. This funding comes from Richard Harrington's rejection of the move, this summer, by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) to increase MP pay by 10%. This rise was the result of IPSA's two year statutory review into MP Pay.
Speaking about the donations Richard said: “With these donations I hope some good can come out of this misguided decision by the independent pay body. It was great to hear from local charities about all the projects they are working on.”
It can now be revealed that 20 local charities have received a share of the money. Please see below a list of the charities supported and the project that Richard has donated to.
- Alternatives Watford: To support lunchtime clubs in secondary schools.
- DEMAND: Towards the inclusive sports for all project.
- DRUM: Towards the enhancement of the patio at the centre.
- Friends of Lanchester School
- Guideposts: To support community mental health projects.
- Herts Mind Network: To fund staff safeguarding training
- Home-Start Watford & Three Rivers: To support the home visiting service.
- Luna’s Little Stars: To send children with brain tumours to Disneyland Paris and fund searching visits to other countries to look for innovative treatments.
- New Hope: To support their work with the most vulnerable and needy people in our town.
- Tanners Wood Parent Teacher Association: To develop a wildlife and outdoor learning area at the school.
- The Michael Green Foundation: to support diabetes outreach work at Watford General Hospital
- The Special Care Baby Unit at Watford General: To support the specialist treatment and support they give to babies and parents.
- The Wheelchair Dance Sport Association: To support engagement with local schools.
- Watford Children’s Mencap: to support the creation of a fun play area at the Children’s Centre at the Lemarie Centre.
- Watford Hindu Group Gujarati School: To enable the school to expand to teach infants.
- Watford Palace Theatre: To enable further provision of audio described and captioned performances at the theatre.
- Watford Rotary Club: To support their charitable works
- Watford Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide Group: To raise awareness of the group, through leaflets and a website.
- Watford Town Centre Chaplaincy: To support the work of the Street Angels
- Watford Workshop: To support training and employment for people with disabilities.
This summer, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) announced the result of their two year statutory review into MP Pay. The result, as many people know, is that Members of Parliament will receive a pay rise of 10%.
However, Richard Harrington was opposed to the proposals saying: “In light of pay restraint across the public sector and the government's deficit reduction plans, I think it is essential that MPs lead from the front on this. Since the expenses scandal, before I was elected, Parliament has been trying hard to redeem itself, and I am concerned that IPSA's decision could turn back the clock on some of that good work done to regain the public’s trust. I have been told there is no way not to accept the money, therefore I will donate the money to local charities.”
Richard Harrington had been assured by IPSA that the move overall is cost-neutral, due to changes to the MP pension scheme and other costs.