Jonathan Hepworth contacted UCV Plain Speaker with strong criticisms of the MP’s 11% pay rise, to come into effect after the 2015 General Election.
This is what Jonathan thinks:
I am writing to express my disgust at the announcement that MPs are to get a pay rise of 11%. I work in commissioning specialist mental health services and I can tell you that in all sectors, NHS, independent and voluntary, all have made significant cuts and efficiencies. Health managers, clinicians and support staff are all acutely aware of the need to optimise limited and reducing resources, whilst tasked at the same time to improve on quality and to manage the increasing levels of regulation.
Public sector workers in the local authorities and the NHS have been made redundant, have been down banded, or (at best) had a pay freeze for some years. Meanwhile the politicians are to get an 11% pay rise. I am not fooled that this is the only income for MPs as many have other income streams and continue to have substantial perks, privileges and expenses paid by tax payers. I note that Craig Whittaker, MP, has declared on his own website expenses amounting to £177,000 for 2012-2013
Tory colleagues of Mr Whittaker have stated in these times of economic adversity that “we’re all in it together!” Really?!? Well I would love an 11% rise to pay towards my increased fuel costs, insurance costs, tax costs, pension and national insurance costs, university fees for my children etc etc This pay increase for MPs is to cost 4.6 Million pounds, all money that is needed in the NHS and other areas.
I note that David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Ed Milliband have all said that they are not for this rise in MPs pay, they also claim they can do nothing about it. Really!?! MPs are the legislators, they have the power to vote against this change.
[Editor’s note: The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) has ordered the pay rise, which is to come into force after the next general election in 2015. MPs cannot stop the pay rise, unless they change the law that was set up following the expenses scandal to stop them setting their own pay.]
No wonder increasing numbers of people feel that politicians have no connection with the reality of the majority of working people (and the unemployed) in this country. All in it together? To quote Ricky Tomlinson’s character in the Royle family, “My arse!”
Calder Valley MP: IPSA is “barking mad”
Plain Speaker asked Craig Whittaker MP for his view of the pay rise, and whether, if re- elected, he would accept it.
Mr Whittaker tweeted in reply:
“See my comments in today’s Yorkshire Post online!”
Yorkshire Post online quotes Mr Whittaker as saying:
“I think now is the time for Parliament to get a grip on this Ipsa process. It’s just madness – barking mad. I will be asking if now is the time that we really looked at what Ipsa is doing.”
“If I am forced to take it, I will look at donating it to a local charity. I hope it doesn’t come to that.