Martin will donate extra MPs' pay

5.22.00pm GMT Mon 15th Mar 2010

CHELTENHAM MP Martin Horwood has promised to donate to charity any pay rise he receives above and beyond what other public sector workers are going to get.

Liberal Democrat shadow chancellor Vince Cable is arguing for a £400 flat rate pay rise in the public sector which would reflect the dire state of public finances but benefit the lowest paid most. The Conservatives have argued for a much wider pay freeze while the Labour government is currently planning to freeze the pay of high-ranking civil servants such as judges and is allowing a complete pay freeze in local government. Meanwhile, MPs themselves have been awarded a 1.5% pay rise by the Senior Salaries Review Body, worth nearly £1,000 a year before tax.

MPs used to vote on their own pay but following the expenses scandal, this right was taken away and their pay is now set by the independent SSRB.

In local government, the nationwide employers' organisation is arguing for a complete pay freeze. Cheltenham follows the national agreements but the Liberal Democrat administration had budgeted for a 1% pay rise.

Martin commented: 'I supported taking MPs' pay out of our hands and giving it to the independent SSRB. But if other workers in the public sector are facing pay freezes and restricted rises, I think the SSRB should have done the same for MPs. How am I supposed to pocket this pay rise and look a constituent in the face who works for Cheltenham Borough Council or GCHQ or the university?'

'If Vince's proposal for a £400 pay rise wins the day, I'll donate the difference. If the Tories impose a complete pay freeze, I'll donate the lot.'

Martin also invited his main rival to make the same pledge: 'My Conservative opponent presumably supports his party's plan for a public sector pay freeze so I hope he'll make the same pledge.'