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Welsh assembly members to boycott £10,000 pay rise Welsh assembly members to boycott £10,000 pay rise
(about 2 hours later)
Senior Welsh politicians who are to receive a £10,000 pay rise after next year’s assembly election have said they will not accept the increase.Senior Welsh politicians who are to receive a £10,000 pay rise after next year’s assembly election have said they will not accept the increase.
The annual salary of backbenchers will jump by 17% to £64,000, it was confirmed on Friday by the independent body that sets the pay and allowances of assembly members (AMs).The annual salary of backbenchers will jump by 17% to £64,000, it was confirmed on Friday by the independent body that sets the pay and allowances of assembly members (AMs).
Members voiced their unease at next year’s planned salary increase – which comes during a time of continued cuts to public spending and the ongoing squeeze on taxpayers’ budgets.Members voiced their unease at next year’s planned salary increase – which comes during a time of continued cuts to public spending and the ongoing squeeze on taxpayers’ budgets.
The Welsh Liberal Democrat leader, Kirsty Williams, said: “At a time when public-sector workers have seen their pay packets either frozen or rise only slightly, it is wrong to hand out such a huge hike in assembly members’ pay.” The Welsh Liberal Democrat leader, Kirsty Williams, said: “At a time when public sector workers have seen their pay packets either frozen or rise only slightly, it is wrong to hand out such a huge hike in assembly members’ pay.”
She added she would scrap the proposed increase if re-elected. Leanne Wood, the Plaid Cymru leader, echoed these sentiments and said: “When many in the public sector and private sector are getting a 1% pay rise, a pay freeze or even a proposed real-terms cut, I cannot support such a large salary increase for assembly members.She added she would scrap the proposed increase if re-elected. Leanne Wood, the Plaid Cymru leader, echoed these sentiments and said: “When many in the public sector and private sector are getting a 1% pay rise, a pay freeze or even a proposed real-terms cut, I cannot support such a large salary increase for assembly members.
“I have said before that I would accept the proposed increase when there is a living wage for all of the quarter of a million Welsh workers who are currently earning less than is needed to live on.”“I have said before that I would accept the proposed increase when there is a living wage for all of the quarter of a million Welsh workers who are currently earning less than is needed to live on.”
Carwyn Jones, the Wesh first minister and Labour AM said he could not see how his party would support the increase. Under the scheme, his pay will increase to £140,000 while his cabinet members will receive £100,000 each. Carwyn Jones, the Welsh first minister and Labour AM said he could not see how his party would support the increase. Under the scheme, his pay will increase to £140,000 while his cabinet members will receive £100,000 each.
When the plans were first announced last year, Jones said: “I was as surprised as anyone at the proposals we have seen come forward. I recognise, of course, in these difficult times, how people will feel about this.”When the plans were first announced last year, Jones said: “I was as surprised as anyone at the proposals we have seen come forward. I recognise, of course, in these difficult times, how people will feel about this.”
The pay increase, first proposed six months ago, is expected to cost taxpayers about £700,000 more next year.The pay increase, first proposed six months ago, is expected to cost taxpayers about £700,000 more next year.
However Sandy Blair, chairman of the remuneration board, said the increased pay was necessary to help politicians deal with increased devolution in Wales. He said: “Our duty is to ensure that there is financial support in place that attracts the best people to put their names forward for the role of assembly member.However Sandy Blair, chairman of the remuneration board, said the increased pay was necessary to help politicians deal with increased devolution in Wales. He said: “Our duty is to ensure that there is financial support in place that attracts the best people to put their names forward for the role of assembly member.
“Where we have found barriers that dissuade people from standing for election, we have tried to address them.”“Where we have found barriers that dissuade people from standing for election, we have tried to address them.”
Blair added that while AMs’ basic pay would increase, changes to their pensions would see a reduction in taxpayers’ contributions.Blair added that while AMs’ basic pay would increase, changes to their pensions would see a reduction in taxpayers’ contributions.
The chair of the pay panel said the job of being an assembly member has changed significantly since 2010, when the salary was last reviewed. The chair of the pay panel said the job of being an assembly member had changed significantly since 2010, when the salary was last reviewed.
Friday’s news of the pay hike comes as the the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority is consulting on plans to increase the pay of MPs in Westminster by £7,000 – from £67,000 to £74,000.Friday’s news of the pay hike comes as the the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority is consulting on plans to increase the pay of MPs in Westminster by £7,000 – from £67,000 to £74,000.