Dear Constituent,
Thank you for contacting me about the salaries of Members of Parliament.
As you will be aware, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) is responsible for setting salaries and determining expenses for MPs. IPSA has a statutory mandate to review the salaries of MPs by December 2020, and it published its proposals as part of a public consultation in October. I understand that it is proposing to retain the exiting benchmark used since 2015.
You can read more about what this independent body is proposing, including the detailed consideration it has given to the impact of the pandemic, here: https://www.theipsa.org.uk/publications/consultations/review-of-mps-pay-and-pensions/
IPSA is surveying opinion on its proposal until 6 November and you can give your views here: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/Periodic_Adjustments_MPs_Pay_2020/
I understand how people feel about MPs receiving a salary increase, especially during a pandemic. The set indexation of MPs' salaries by IPSA along the Office of National Statistics average weekly earnings was designed to make the process more transparent and fair overall.
IPSA will announce its formal decision later in the year, having taken into account the public's views. I will, of course, give its decision due consideration when it comes.
Thank you for taking the time to contact me.
Kind regards, Alister