Keir Starmer tells LBC MP's pay rise 'should be spent on key workers'

12 October 2020, 10:56 | Updated: 12 October 2020, 10:57

Starmer: MPs shouldn't have a £3,300 pay rise

By Matt Drake

Sir Keir Starmer has told LBC he doesn't think MPs should get £3,300 pay rise next April, and the money should be spent on key workers instead.

Earlier this week it was reported the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa), which sets MPs' salaries, has proposed continuing to link their pay packets to wage growth in the public sector.

But the Labour leader told LBC's Nick Ferrari that "this year of all years" was the time to give more to the keys workers who have been on the frontlines of the pandemic.

He added that the decision it was "not an excuse" that the decision had been "parcelled out to an independent body".

Sir Keir told LBC: "We shouldn't have it. I think this year of all years, people would say that money, if it's available, should be spent on key workers, those who've been on the front line through this pandemic."

He added that there should be a cross-party discussion about what to do "because I suspect there's lots of MPs that feel it just isn't right".

The wage rise - which uses the average public sector wage growth as a benchmark - means MPs will have a rise of around £3,300, taking their salaries to more than £85,000.

Read more: Margaret Ferrier should resign after 'jaw dropping' behaviour, Sir Keir says

Although the exact figure is not yet known, September's data would give MPs a 4.1% increase and Ipsa acknowledged that whatever the figure ends up being "it is likely to exceed the rate of inflation".

Sir Keir has dismissed calls for MPs to receive a pay rise
Sir Keir has dismissed calls for MPs to receive a pay rise. Picture: PA

Richard Lloyd, Ipsa's interim chairman, said the body has a statutory duty to review MPs' pay in the first year of each parliament.

Read more: UK at Covid-19 'tipping point' similar to first wave, top scientist warns

Major reviews were carried out in 2012, 2013 and 2015, with technical adjustments in 2018.

"Given the huge economic uncertainties arising from the coronavirus pandemic, we do not think it is right to depart from this approach now," he said.

The Labour leader's comments come after political commentator Keven Maguire told LBC that the proposed pay increase would go down like "cold sick".

Keir Starmer "really worried" about Premier League proposals

He said: "It'll go down like a cup of cold sick. It's a disaster...because, as you say, a lot of people are fearing for their jobs and unemployment is about to soar. It will rocket when the furlough scheme comes to an end.

"People are facing restrictions on their lives, shorter hours, people aren't getting pay rises if they survive in jobs. If MPs take this...there will be a furious backlash. Trust is already low in politicians."

He pointed out that people are not following the Prime Minister's instructions the way they once might have, such as the social distancing, and this pay rise acceptance will cause "such an angry backlash."

Some MPs may argue that it is regulation body IPSA's choice to hike the salaries and it is not their fault; Nick asked Mr Maguire how valid this argument would be.

"Not very valid because they set the system up," replied Mr Maguire, "I know other workers that used to have pay formulas...they were changed by the Government. You said it up, you can change it."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Breaking
King Charles waved at members of the public as he was driven to Buckingham Palace

King Charles seen in public for the first time since hospital visit after 'suffering side-effects' of cancer treatment

Usha Vance

Usha Vance hit with fresh humiliation as Greenland residents refuse to meet her during solo trip

c

Lucky Brit set to scoop UK's biggest ever jackpot with £202 million EuroMillions draw tonight

Angela Rayner

Angela Rayner's own staff to strike after being told to come into the office more often

Exclusive
LBC Presenter Nick Ferrari visits Cromwell Hospital in West London.

Nick Ferrari shares his experience getting tested for prostate cancer amid calls for UK to ramp up routine screening

Dame Esther Rantzen and her daughter Rebecca Wilcox

Dame Esther Rantzen's daughter gives heartbreaking update on national treasure's terminal cancer diagnosis

WH Smith will disappear from high streets but will remain at train stations and airports

WH Smith to disappear from the High Street: All 500 shops to have different name after £76m deal

A skyscraper collapsed as the earthquake hit

Huge 7.7 earthquake in Myanmar sparks panic in Bangkok 800 miles away as dozens trapped after tower collapses

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez are set to get married in Venice

Jeff Bezos to hold star-studded 'wedding of the century' in Venice with city's 'entire fleet of water taxis booked out'

A family was killed in the horror crash

Family killed by drunk ex-RAF pilot in M6 crash after he slammed into them head-on while driving wrong way

Harry Redknapp

Harry Redknapp appears to make Nazi salute after calling England manager Thomas Tuchel 'a Germany spy'

The justice secretary tours the newly opened HMP Millsike in Yorkshire.

Early release for serious offenders part of new prison reforms, justice secretary reveals, as she opens new jail

William Hewes, 22, died at Homerton University Hospital (HUH) on January 21 2023, within 24 hours of being admitted after his meningitis, caused by a meningococcal infection, developed into sepsis.

Student, 22, who died of sepsis 'may have survived' if hospital had listened to desperate pleas of doctor mother

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

Australia to hold federal election in May as housing and inflation among key issues

Boats search for survivors after a tourist submarine sank in the popular Egyptian Red Sea destination of Hurghada, Egypt

Tourist submarine accident in Egypt: What we know so far as 6 confirmed dead

President Donald J Trump.

Donald Trump pushes for near-total control of Ukraine’s minerals and energy in huge increase on earlier demands