The basic salary of MPs is rising by 5% from today, following a decision by parliament’s independent expenses watchdog last month.
MPs will be paid £98,599 a year, with the aim of moving towards a salary of around £110,000 by the end of this parliament, due in 2029.
The rise of 5% this year is higher than inflation – the rate at which prices are rising – which came in at 3% in the year to February, according to the latest data.
It is also higher than the offer the government made to junior doctors, which was 3.5%. But ministers also point out that if that offer were accepted, it would bring the total pay rise over three years to 35%.
But amid the ongoing war in Iran and the associated cost of living increases, questions are being raised about the fairness of such a boost.
The Taxpayers’ Alliance said last month the public would be “seething to see politicians receive an inflation-busting pay rise, all while they suffer a personal recession”.
But the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) boss, Richard Lloyd, said: “The role of an MP has evolved. They are dealing with higher levels of complex casework, and abuse and intimidation towards MPs and their staff has been growing.
“In reaching our decision for 2026-27 we have benchmarked MPs’ pay against other responsible, senior roles in civic society and similar worldwide democracies, as well as considering our own core principles and the wider economic context.
“In future years we will continue to consider prevailing economic and fiscal conditions when confirming annual pay decisions taking into account the experience of people outside of parliament.”
