Richard Harrington, MP for Watford, to give pay rise to Watford charities.
The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) recently announced the result of their 2 year statutory review into MP Pay.
The result, as many people know, is that Members of Parliament will receive a pay rise of 10%.
Richard Harrington has been assured by IPSA that the move overall is cost-neutral, due to changes to the MP pension scheme and other costs.
However, since the review was announced he has been vocal in his opposition 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 be donating the money to local charities." Richard Harrington is asking small local registered charities to come forward to be considered for a donation. The size of each individual donation will depend on the number of charities who come forward.
In 2010, when Richard was elected, it was decided that an independent body, rather than Parliament, should set MP pay. However, the last time MP pay was decided by the Commons, MPs decided to freeze their salaries and David Cameron cut Ministerial pay by 5%. This means that over the last 5 years, MP pay increased by 2%, compared with 5% average increases across the public sector and 10% in the private sector. Richard Harrington does not claim any expenses such as travel or accommodation. He only receives funds to pay staff to support him in his Parliamentary duties and pay for office costs.
Richard Harrington made it clear to IPSA during the review that it is important to keep a link between MP and public sector pay, saying: " It is an honour to be an MP and I am proud to be a public servant - therefore, decisions about our pay and remuneration should looked at in comparison to other public servants." As a result, IPSA has announced that future pay reviews will be linked to average earnings in the public sector.
Please contact me by email Richard.Harrington.mp@parliament.uk before the end of August.