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MPs' pay: Northern Ireland's Westminster parties oppose rise MPs' pay: Northern Ireland's Westminster parties oppose rise
(34 minutes later)
Northern Ireland's political parties represented at Westminster have rejected plans to give all MPs a pay rise.Northern Ireland's political parties represented at Westminster have rejected plans to give all MPs a pay rise.
The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) has announced that MPs are to get a pay rise of more than 10%.The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) has announced that MPs are to get a pay rise of more than 10%.
That will take their salary to £74,000 which is an increase of £7,000.That will take their salary to £74,000 which is an increase of £7,000.
IPSA admitted that MPs pay was a "toxic issue" but said the changes put in place would settle pay for a generation.IPSA admitted that MPs pay was a "toxic issue" but said the changes put in place would settle pay for a generation.
'Ridiculous''Ridiculous'
The 10% pay rise has been approved, despite Downing Street and a succession of MPs saying it was "not appropriate".The 10% pay rise has been approved, despite Downing Street and a succession of MPs saying it was "not appropriate".
The Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), which has three MPs, said it is opposed to the pay rise.The Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), which has three MPs, said it is opposed to the pay rise.
A party spokeswoman said: "It is ridiculous that IPSA has refused to allow individual MPs the ability to opt out."A party spokeswoman said: "It is ridiculous that IPSA has refused to allow individual MPs the ability to opt out."
She added: "The party's MPs now have to identify the best way to deal with this pay rise which will involve payments to charity."She added: "The party's MPs now have to identify the best way to deal with this pay rise which will involve payments to charity."
'No justification''No justification'
In a statement to the BBC, Sinn Féin MP Pat Doherty said: "Sinn Féin MPs do not receive salaries despite securing a sizeable mandate from those who vote for us each election.In a statement to the BBC, Sinn Féin MP Pat Doherty said: "Sinn Féin MPs do not receive salaries despite securing a sizeable mandate from those who vote for us each election.
"We do not believe that MPs should receive this pay increase.""We do not believe that MPs should receive this pay increase."
The West Tyrone MP added: "Sinn Féin are seeking reduction in salaries by 15% in the local [Northern Ireland] Assembly.The West Tyrone MP added: "Sinn Féin are seeking reduction in salaries by 15% in the local [Northern Ireland] Assembly.
"At a time when the Tory government is cutting services, welfare and public spending to the bone there can be no justification for this increase.""At a time when the Tory government is cutting services, welfare and public spending to the bone there can be no justification for this increase."
'Public confidence''Public confidence'
Unionist MPs have taken a similar response to the planned Westminster pay rise.Unionist MPs have taken a similar response to the planned Westminster pay rise.
A Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) spokesman said their party is opposed to the proposals and has "made representations to the IPSA consultation to that effect".A Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) spokesman said their party is opposed to the proposals and has "made representations to the IPSA consultation to that effect".
He added that fresh legislation was required to change this decision and the DUP was prepared to assist if "the government decides to go down that route".He added that fresh legislation was required to change this decision and the DUP was prepared to assist if "the government decides to go down that route".
The Ulster Unionists said they are also opposed to the pay rise.The Ulster Unionists said they are also opposed to the pay rise.
A UUP spokesman told the BBC: "IPSA have pressed on with their recommendations despite submissions to the contrary.A UUP spokesman told the BBC: "IPSA have pressed on with their recommendations despite submissions to the contrary.
"Although IPSA say that the reforms will not cost the taxpayer more money, and links MPs' remuneration to public sector pay, unfortunately the timing and nature of this announcement will not enhance public confidence.""Although IPSA say that the reforms will not cost the taxpayer more money, and links MPs' remuneration to public sector pay, unfortunately the timing and nature of this announcement will not enhance public confidence."
Independent North Down MP Lady Hermon said: "When IPSA first recommended a pay increase for MPs, my initial reaction was to describe the proposal as daft, very daft - I haven't changed my mind."
Northern Ireland Shadow Secretary Of State Ivan Lewis said the MPs' pay rise "cannot be justified".Northern Ireland Shadow Secretary Of State Ivan Lewis said the MPs' pay rise "cannot be justified".
He said he will donate the increase to charity.He said he will donate the increase to charity.
'No cost''No cost'
IPSA chairman Sir Ian Kennedy said that the issue of MPs' pay had been "ducked for decades".IPSA chairman Sir Ian Kennedy said that the issue of MPs' pay had been "ducked for decades".
He said the pay rise would not cost any money because it was being combined with cuts to expenses, pension and severance payments for MPs.He said the pay rise would not cost any money because it was being combined with cuts to expenses, pension and severance payments for MPs.
Jonathan Isaby, chief executive of the Taxpayers' Alliance, said: "Just a week after the chancellor rightly announced further pay restraint in the public sector, it is totally inappropriate for IPSA to be pushing forward with this pay hike."Jonathan Isaby, chief executive of the Taxpayers' Alliance, said: "Just a week after the chancellor rightly announced further pay restraint in the public sector, it is totally inappropriate for IPSA to be pushing forward with this pay hike."
MPs can not actually refuse the pay rise, because it goes into their payslip automatically.MPs can not actually refuse the pay rise, because it goes into their payslip automatically.
Those politicians uneasy with the increase will have to decide what to do with it.Those politicians uneasy with the increase will have to decide what to do with it.
Some have already indicated that they will donate the increase to charity.Some have already indicated that they will donate the increase to charity.