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Today's Storys

The deaths of three British soldiers in Afghanistan over the past two days brings the number of British military personnel killed there to 256 - one more than the number killed during the Falklands war.

The information commissioner has ruled that the party breached privacy laws by making nearly 500,000 automated calls that played a recorded message from a Coronation Street actor before a local election.

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Hector Sants resigned from his position at City watchdog, the Financial Services Authority. He has in the past advocated international and domestic banking reform and criticised the economic proposals of the Conservative party.

Michael Carpenter, the Speaker’s counsel is expected to testify that the three MPs charged with making false expenses claims should not be covered by Parliamentary privilege.

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A new Populus poll for the Times found support for Labour up two points from last month at 30 percent, while the Conservatives were down one point at 40 percent.

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Ones to watch

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Health Secretary Andy Burnham has said a plan for a £20,000 inheritance levy to pay for the government's social care programme is "not the right way to go."

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The Shadow Defence Secreatry, Liam Fox accepted a £50,000 donation from a venture capitalist who helped buy a company selling defence equipment.

Britain's immigration system is not operating effectively and faces a damaging loss of public support, a report from the Parliamentary Ombudsman has warned.

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Labour's manifesto team are considering proposals that would give people who inform on benefit cheats a share of the money saved, according to reports.

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Insider Research

Understanding the heart of Westminster

Thursday 5th November 2009 | 14:59

MP pay rise: sensible idea but it won't happen

Increase in MPs salary would be fair, but political climate makes it unlikely

PoliticsHome
  • Analysis by
  • PoliticsHome

A rise in the salary received by Members of Parliament would be appropriate, although it is not seen as likely, according to Westminster insiders.

The reaction comes after The Daily Telegraph reported this morning that senior MPs were lobbying for a pay rise, in light of the recommendations in the Kelly Report which will strip MPs of many of the expenses they were previously entitled to.

Overall, 56% of insiders support the policy, whilst 43% oppose it.

Right-leaning insiders were in favour of the policy, left-leaning insiders were divided, and Liberal Democrat-aligned insiders were against.

The Phi100 surveys MPs, peers, strategists and think tank leaders, to determine the collective political sentiment at the highest level of British politics.

"Insanity after the mess over expenses"

A Conservative MP said, “I think MPs currently get paid about right.”

Another Conservative MP said, “Pay MUST now be decided by the Independent Regulator. It is however inconceivable that MPs’ salaries will continue to be significantly less than the salary of British MEPs in Brussels.”

A Liberal Democrat MP said, “I would support it, but only if that's what is externally and independently recommended.”

A left-leaning strategist said, “No. Many backbench MPs are lucky to get £65,000 that they wouldn't get in the real world.”

Another Liberal Democrat MP said, “It would be insanity after all the mess over expenses."

A right-aligned strategist said, “It should be £100,000 - otherwise you will simply get muppets, machine politicians and empty headed lobbyists. And then the nation would be truly sorry when they totally fail to provide any kind of leadership at all.”

"Not a chance in hell!"

However, a majority of insiders believe any pay rise will not happen for the foreseeable future. 51% believe this, whilst 39% believe a pay rise will happen in the next Parliament. Only 1% believe it will happen shortly.

“Not a chance in hell!” a Liberal Democrat MP said.

A Conservative MP said, “My best guess is that Prime Minister Cameron would find some way of stifling it: a man who's seen off his backbenchers as Leader of the Opposition should have the clout to do it again during his early years as Prime Minister.”

Another Conservative MP said, “It is supposed now to be decided entirely by the Senior Salary Review Body, but I think any government of either colour would try to block a significant rise - same old story.”

Leave a comment...

June

Of course they should have a pay increase, not having one for years caused all the problems.

David Evershed

Comparator salaries in the private sector have been and will continue to fall.  MPs will be lucky if their basic salaries stay as high as they are.  Top minister salaries compare unfavourably with the private sector though and might increase.   

christina speight
  • 17:01 |
  • 05 Nov 2009
  • 0

The important thing is to remove ALL "allowances" which have to be claimed.  The answer is to abolish as many as possible and add the savings to salaries and let them do as they wish.  NO CLAIMS - NO FIDDLES.    Cheaper too - no fees office.   

Tories want - for a ssrtart - 10% fewer MPs that will save masses.    

All this tinkering is asking for more trouble.  

martin

If any MP feels undervalued and under rewarded may I suggest that they resign and seek employment elsewhere, where I am sure there skills at voting how they are told to vote will be amply rewarded

Martin

and I see that the going rate for fiddling 35k out of the taxpayer seems to be a year in jail, or does it depend which benefits you steal?

Jason

Since they have given away our powers again aka Lisbon Treaty they should have a pay cut!

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