MPs Are In Line For £20,000 Pay Rise

MPs are in line for a pay rise of up to £20,000 in a move that could spark public fury.

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) has been looking at an increase of between £10,000 and £20,000.

This could potentially boost MPs' pay to more than three times the £26,500 national average salary.

The lower £10,000 figure is considered a more likely increase but even this is likely to anger voters.

Taxpayers' salaries have risen by just 0.6% on average this year and many people are struggling to cope with the rising cost of living.

The hike for MPs would be partly offset by curbs to their gold-plated pensions and personal expenses.

However the proposal has already met with an incredulous response from many social media users.

Harlow Labour councillor Ian Beckett tweeted: "Ground control to Westminster ... what planet are you on?"

Ipsa took responsibility for MPs' salaries and pensions two years ago after it emerged some MPs had been fiddling their expenses.

It has recently been conducting a fundamental review.

A survey released by the watchdog in January found politicians on average believed they should be paid £86,000 rather than £66,000, with some demanding more than £100,000.

The watchdog is due to deliver its initial proposals for consultation next month, although the main changes will not come into effect until after the general election in 2015.

However, any significant rise is certain to be controversial as the economy continues to struggle and the rest of the public sector is subject to tight pay restraint.

Speaker John Bercow is among those who have been pushing for better remuneration, warning that the Commons must attract people from all backgrounds.

Officials are concerned that David Cameron and other party leaders may find it difficult to back such an increase.

Last month ministers acted to reduce the government element of their pay so they did not benefit from a 1% increase granted to MPs.