MPs vote for 1.9 per cent pay rise
Thursday, 24 January 2008 12:00 AM
MPs have accepted a 1.9 per cent pay rise.
The vote marks a victory for the prime minister, who had urged MPs to accept an inflation-curbing pay rise, in line with the pay awards imposed on other public sector employees.
The 1.9 per cent pay rise was accepted without a vote, with backbenchers from all parties under pressure to accept the government's motion.
Gordon Brown argues public sector pay rises must stay below two per cent in order to deflect the threat of rising inflation.
He has asked Labour MPs to "show restraint" and accept a staged pay rise.
The Senior Salaries Review Board had recommended a 2.56 per cent increase, but leaders from all three main parties said this would be inappropriate.
MPs are currently paid £60,675. The SSRB recommends this rise to £61,820 but by staging it the government has reduced its value to a below-inflation 1.9 per cent
Yesterday police held a "mass lobby" of parliament in protest at the government's refusal to backdate a 2.5 per cent pay rise to September.
Prison officers, nurses and other public sector workers have also complained of below-inflation pay rises, arguing they amount to a pay cut in real times.
Mr Brown has repeatedly said he would like to offer more generous pay rises but argues these would be made worthless by rising inflation.
Today's vote is likely the last time MPs will be able to set their own pay, with leader of the House of Commons Harriet Harman warning the government plans to move towards a more independent measure.
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