British MPs will see their annual pay increase by nearly £5,000, bringing their total salaries close to £100,000. The Members of Parliament are set to receive a 5% pay raise for the 2026-27 fiscal year, elevating their pay to £98,599 from the current £93,904. This adjustment, comprising a 3.5% raise for the cost of living and an additional 1.5% “benchmarking adjustment,” will become effective on April 1.
The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA), responsible for determining MPs’ pay rates, disclosed the update on Monday. IPSA took into consideration the increased challenges faced by Westminster MPs, such as heightened abuse, intimidation, and growing constituency casework.
IPSA indicated that it had compared MPs’ salaries with those in similar roles in the broader public sector and other parliamentary systems globally. By 2029, MPs are projected to be earning around £110,000 by the end of the current parliamentary term, with IPSA planning to phase in the increments over the next three years.
This 5% pay rise contrasts with below-inflation salary hikes for various public sector employees. Notably, NHS unions expressed dissatisfaction after the Government announced a 3.3% pay raise for health workers. Nurses’ unions criticized the “insulting” sub-inflation raise, prompting concerns of potential NHS strikes.
While MPs do not determine their own salaries, IPSA has been setting their pay rates since its establishment in 2009 following the expenses scandal. Richard Lloyd, Chair of IPSA, emphasized the evolving roles of MPs, citing increased casework complexity and the rising instances of abuse and intimidation towards parliamentarians and their staff.
Looking ahead, IPSA intends to continue considering prevailing economic conditions and external perspectives in its annual pay decisions. MPs with additional responsibilities, like government ministers or the Speaker of the House of Commons, typically receive supplementary entitlements managed separately from IPSA.
In a separate development, it was confirmed in 2024 that Keir Starmer’s annual salary exceeded £75,000 in addition to his basic MP salary. The issue of MPs’ pay remains contentious, prompting discussions on the recent 5% pay raise. Readers can participate in a poll to share their views on the matter.
