MPs pay rise row: How much do politicians earn compared to other jobs and average UK salary?
Boris Johnson has waded into the row over a recommended pay rise for MPs.
On Monday, the prime minister said through his official spokesman that he did not believe a salary increase for members of parliament was right in the “current circumstances”.
Last month, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) – which sets MPs’ salaries – recommended an increase of £3,300 from next April.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has also said MPs shouldn’t receive the pay rise, suggesting it go to key workers instead.
Watch: Sir Keir Starmer says MPs shouldn’t get pay rise
Here is everything you need to know about MPs’ salaries:
How much is an MP’s salary?
MPs currently have a salary of £81,932. This was an increase from £79,468 in 2019 and £77,379 in 2018.
What pay rise is recommended?
The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) has recommended a pay rise for MPs of £3,300, taking salaries above £85,000.
What extra salary is available to MPs for chairing a select committee?
MPs who chair select committees are entitled to an additional salary.
In April 2020, this was set at £16,422.
What about government ministers?
Government ministers are also entitled to an additional salary on top of their pay as an MP.
The chancellor (Rishi Sunak), the chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Michael Gove) and secretaries of state are each entitled to an extra £71,673, although the claimed salary for those roles this year is lower, at £67,505.
How much does the prime minister earn?
Prime minister Boris Johnson is entitled to an extra £79,936, although only £75,440 has been claimed this year.
Will MPs receive a pay rise next year?
The government has been facing a growing clamour to block the rise after it emerged last week that chancellor Rishi Sunak is set to announce a pay cap for millions of public sector workers.
What does Boris Johnson think?
Asked whether the prime minister was happy for the rise to go ahead, his spokesman said: “MPs’ salaries are obviously decided by an independent body, but given the circumstances the PM doesn’t believe MPs should be receiving a pay rise.”
Johnson had previously announced that ministers would not be getting an increase in their ministerial salaries – which he sets – a sum paid on top of their wages as MPs.
What is the average salary in the UK?
The average weekly wage in the UK is £586, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
This means the average salary is £30,472 per year.
What is the average salary in other jobs?
The average annual full-time gross pay by profession, as of April 2020, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS):
Airline pilots - £92,330
Chief executives - £85,239
Marketing and sales directors - £80,759
Pharmacists - £43,723
Barristers and judges - £41,874
Police officers (sergeant and below) - £41,701
Journalists - £40,396
Midwives - £38,736
Social workers - £36,306
Nurses - £33,920
Graphic designers - £29,391
Farmers - £28,126
Bricklayers - £27,995
Teachers - £26,489
Ambulance staff - £25,652
Chefs - £22,670
Street cleaners - £20,274
Care workers - £19,959
Bar staff - £18,911
Receptionists - £18,596
Hairdressers - £17,223
Playworkers - £15,394
What has Ipsa said?
In its report last month, Ipsa recommended MPs’ pay should continue to be linked to the growth in public sector pay, using the figures for October as a benchmark.
That would suggest an increase of about 4% – to be paid from next April – which would take MPs salaries to more than £85,000.
Ipsa is due to announce its final decision next month.
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