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Assembly members' 8.3% pay rise Assembly members' 8.3% pay rise
(about 2 hours later)
Welsh assembly members are set to receive an inflation busting pay-rise of 8.3%, bringing their salaries more in line with MPs at Westminster.Welsh assembly members are set to receive an inflation busting pay-rise of 8.3%, bringing their salaries more in line with MPs at Westminster.
An independent panel recommended the rise of almost £4,000 - to £50,692 a year - because of a growing workload.An independent panel recommended the rise of almost £4,000 - to £50,692 a year - because of a growing workload.
But the rise has been opposed by Plaid Cymru, who called it unjustified.But the rise has been opposed by Plaid Cymru, who called it unjustified.
AMs are paid 76% of MPs' salaries but this gap is set to be reduced to 82%. They are also set to receive the 1.9% below inflation rise agreed by MPs.AMs are paid 76% of MPs' salaries but this gap is set to be reduced to 82%. They are also set to receive the 1.9% below inflation rise agreed by MPs.
The increase will bring a back-bench assembly member's salary up to just over £50,000 a year.The increase will bring a back-bench assembly member's salary up to just over £50,000 a year.
ASSEMBLY MEMBERS' PAY 1999-2000 £34,438 £33,3602000-2001 £35,437 £34,327 2001-2002 £38,000 £35,357 2002-2003 £41,500 £36,241 2003-2004 £42,434 £37,056 2004-2005 £44,000 £37,7972005-2006 £45,232 £38,853 2006-2007 £46,191 £39,677 April 2007-Oct 2007 £46,804 £40,225 Nov 2007-March 2008 £47,292 £40,645 Pay for Assembly members since 1999, second figure is extra pay for ministers. Source: Welsh Assembly Government.ASSEMBLY MEMBERS' PAY 1999-2000 £34,438 £33,3602000-2001 £35,437 £34,327 2001-2002 £38,000 £35,357 2002-2003 £41,500 £36,241 2003-2004 £42,434 £37,056 2004-2005 £44,000 £37,7972005-2006 £45,232 £38,853 2006-2007 £46,191 £39,677 April 2007-Oct 2007 £46,804 £40,225 Nov 2007-March 2008 £47,292 £40,645 Pay for Assembly members since 1999, second figure is extra pay for ministers. Source: Welsh Assembly Government.
Members of Parliament currently receive £60,277 and they have accepted a 1.9% rise in the latest pay review round, in line with public sector workers.Members of Parliament currently receive £60,277 and they have accepted a 1.9% rise in the latest pay review round, in line with public sector workers.
The cross-party Assembly Commission, which sets pay, met on Thursday to discuss the panel's findings.The cross-party Assembly Commission, which sets pay, met on Thursday to discuss the panel's findings.
The commission insists that the rises are an inevitable result of the assembly's enhanced powers to draft and pass laws.The commission insists that the rises are an inevitable result of the assembly's enhanced powers to draft and pass laws.
But they are certain to cause anger in the public sector, according to the BBC's Welsh Affairs editor, Vaughan Roderick.But they are certain to cause anger in the public sector, according to the BBC's Welsh Affairs editor, Vaughan Roderick.
The deal has already been condemned by Plaid Cymru.The deal has already been condemned by Plaid Cymru.
Its member on the commission, Chris Franks AM, voted against pay rise.Its member on the commission, Chris Franks AM, voted against pay rise.
Deputy leader of the Plaid assembly group, Alun Ffred Jones AM, said: "Voting to accept such a generous pay rise for AMs wouldn't have been right when many others, particularly those in public sector jobs, have been given such tight pay awards.Deputy leader of the Plaid assembly group, Alun Ffred Jones AM, said: "Voting to accept such a generous pay rise for AMs wouldn't have been right when many others, particularly those in public sector jobs, have been given such tight pay awards.
"We were unable to justify the sums that had been recommended and we oppose the decision to accept that recommendation.""We were unable to justify the sums that had been recommended and we oppose the decision to accept that recommendation."
A Welsh Labour spokesman said: "A decision has been taken by the Assembly Commission and we will abide by that decision."A Welsh Labour spokesman said: "A decision has been taken by the Assembly Commission and we will abide by that decision."
Conservative AM William Graham welcomed the pay rise.
He said: "We can say to members its worthwhile coming here, you won't be disadvantaged in terms of an economic prospect, that you'll get a reasonable salary commensurate with your responsibility and the complexity of the work that you do.
"But we will also expect you to work jolly hard for the days you're in Cardiff."
The commission also announced plans to crack down on the members' allowance system.The commission also announced plans to crack down on the members' allowance system.
The chair of the commission, the assembly's presiding officer Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, said: "It is a personal view but I would like to see an end to the allowance system as we have seen it operating.The chair of the commission, the assembly's presiding officer Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, said: "It is a personal view but I would like to see an end to the allowance system as we have seen it operating.
"All matters have to be radically considered so that expenses are claimed properly.""All matters have to be radically considered so that expenses are claimed properly."
This would include an examination of employing family members and allowances for mortgages on members' second homes some miles from Cardiff.This would include an examination of employing family members and allowances for mortgages on members' second homes some miles from Cardiff.
Referring to Westminster allowances Lord Elis-Thomas said: "It has been a scandal of my life claiming these ridiculous allowances as an MP in Westminster."Referring to Westminster allowances Lord Elis-Thomas said: "It has been a scandal of my life claiming these ridiculous allowances as an MP in Westminster."