Consultation opens on pay increases for Senedd Members
Emily Price
A consultation is underway into proposals for an increase in salaries and business costs for Members of the Senedd and their staff.
The Independent Remuneration Board of the Senedd – the independent body which makes decisions on Members’ pay – is seeking views on proposed changes to the amount of support available to MSs.
The consultation includes a number of proposals related to the increased costs of living including the amount which Members can claim for costs such as running their local offices, travel and accommodation for Members who live outside Cardiff.
Whilst Members’ pay increase will remain at the 3% cap, which was agreed at the start of the Sixth Senedd, the Board proposes that the cap for Members’ staff is lifted and their pay for 2023/24 should be increased according to the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) Wales figure of 5.7%.
Review
The Chair of the Remuneration Board, Dr Elizabeth Haywood, said: “Our annual review of support provided to Members of the Senedd aims to make sure it remains fit for purpose for the next financial year. Its purpose is to enable them to perform their duties, as well as ensuring value for money and transparency in the use of public funds.
“Although inflation has fallen in recent months, the Board recognises the impact inflation has had on Members’ budgets and the challenges staff continue to experience as a result of the increased cost of living.
“The consultation includes a number of proposals related to inflation such as increasing the amounts which Members can claim to cover the costs of their duties.
“We also looked closely at the salaries of Members’ staff, recognising the ongoing high cost of living and the nature and value of the role.
“The Board therefore propose that the cap on Members’ staff salaries is raised and increased by the ASHE Wales figure of 5.7% for 2023/24.
“It has also proposed mechanisms to ensure that Members’ staff pay does not fall below the Real Living Wage.
“We now look forward to hearing people’s views on these proposals to help shape a fair final offer.”
Earnings
Members’ pay was set for the 6th Senedd in 2021 and was adjusted annually according to the change in ASHE annual gross median earnings in Wales, to a maximum of 3%.
This year’s ASHE figure, published in November 2023 is 5.7%.
If you would like to submit a response to the Remuneration Board’s consultation you can email [email protected]
The consultation sets out proposals for changes which need to be agreed before the start of the next financial year.
The deadline for submitting responses is 17:00 on Friday 26 January 2024.
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Maybe a pay/expenses cut would be more to the point.
The independent renumeration board’s recommendation is in line with the rise MP’s at Westminster will get – or is it only politicians in Wales you think should get a pay cut?
Not with you on this Leigh – which is rare. Big cuts in services, education, transport etc etc .
Wrong message @ wrong time
When teachers and school staff are being cut to save money? Are they serious?
Yes, pay them for what they contribute to our well being, infrastructure, health and education; zero would be about right!!!!
They should be paid on positive results. Absolute gravy train.
A 3% pay rise for Senedd members hardly equates to a ‘gravy train’ – and it pales in comparison to the massive twenty two billion pounds being shelled out to give Westminster a ‘makeover’.
It’s never the right time 🕰️ i
guess but this will play into the hands of those who hate our Senedd ….
Depends if you have a farm as a backup wage or not I suppose.
Take the lowest wage pay rise and drop a point off it and that is it until austerity ends. But then you need to attract good politico’s (I know I know, farmer foghorn is in the chamber).
We got sold the yarn some time ago that you have to pay good money ( close to top money in Wales) to attract people into democratic representation. What we got was mostly greedy, money grabbing chancers whose socialism went no further than rhetoric or Conservatives who don’t really have a shred of conservatism about them. The cost of swallowing a big lie comes home to roost. Sadly too many of our potential electorate are too lazy or indifferent to turn out and dump some of these reptiles.