Why are MPs Getting a Pay Rise amid Ongoing Spending Cuts?

Many are questioning why MPs' salaries are increasing even as the UK government implements widespread spending cuts and welfare reforms.

From April 2025, Members of Parliament (MPs) will receive a 2.8% pay raise, pushing their annual salary to nearly £94,000.
The move has sparked public criticism, particularly in light of recent announcements that will see thousands of people lose access to benefits under new welfare policies.

However, it’s important to understand that MPs' pay is not decided by the Chancellor or government ministers. Instead, it is set independently by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA). The pay raise is in line with recommendations for public sector wage increases across the board.

This latest salary adjustment follows similar pay uplifts for other public sector workers, such as train drivers and civil servants, many of whom have seen real-terms wage stagnation over the past decade.

Despite the independent nature of the decision, the timing has raised eyebrows. The optics of a pay rise for politicians, while the public faces tightening budgets and benefit reductions, has drawn criticism—even from MPs themselves. Labour MP Rachel Maskell, for example, has publicly stated her opposition to the pay hike.

While the MPs' pay rise is technically in line with public sector norms and determined by an independent body, it comes at a politically sensitive moment. With UK spending cuts and benefit reductions dominating headlines, the decision has sparked debate over fairness and timing.
Source: Sky News