Minister slams 'inappropriate' plans to give MPs a pay rise during coronavirus crisis

Independent body sets rate of pay for MPs

Nadhim Zahawi ( )

A minister has criticised plans to give MPs a pay rise in the middle of the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

Business minister Nadhim Zahawi said the move would be “inappropriate” as the country continues to battle the global pandemic. 

The government is braced for a rash of redundancies this winter, as the furlough scheme, which has paid the salaries of millions of workers, comes to an end.

The pay of MPs is determined by an independent body the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA), which was set up in the wake of the 2009 expenses scandal.

It has said that now is not the time to change the system.

But Mr Zahawi called on IPSA to "explain themselves" and suggested that he might give an extra cash he is awarded to charity.

He said he thought a pay rise at the moment was “not appropriate”.  

MPs currently earn more than £80,000.

IPSA indicated that it was because of the economic uncertainty created by Covid-19 that it was "inclined to continue" the current system. 

Critics warn that would mean MPs would be in line for a £3,360 pay increase next April, no matter what the rate of unemployment across the country at that stage.