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| In 1978 a Member of Parliament was paid
£6,897 plus all their allowances. That figure today stands
at £51,822 plus allowances and of course more rises pending!
Nice work if you can get it, and let’s not forget that most MP’s
have one or more ‘proper’ jobs outside of what they were elected
to do. In fact there is no control at all over what an MP does for
their wage. One could be elected on a Tuesday and enter for a day
to take their seat and swear the oath and then not attend again
for 4 years but still get paid. (And also receive a pension afterwards)
A Qualified Firefighter (subject to a minimum of four years training) in 1978, and after nine weeks of industrial action with no pay, earned £4,606 with no allowances. 24 years later that figure stands at £21,531 with no allowances. (And subjected to ½ pay after 6 months if off due to sickness or injury) Let’s work this out. In 1978 a Firefighter earned roughly two thirds of an MP’s salary. If an MP’s pay increases had kept in line with a Firefighter’s their pay today would be approximately £32,250. On the other hand, if a Firefighter’s pay increases had kept in line with an MP, our pay today would be approximately £34,548. Doesn’t really make sense or add up in this era of public sector bashing does it? I always thought MP’s were public sector! As they say, onwards and upwards. Dean Mills Regional Secretary Thank you for taking the time to read this. If you have any queries or want any more information please contact me on:
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