No pay rise for Assembly Members due to coronavirus pandemic

Welsh Assembly Members will not receive an expected pay rise due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Assembly’s Remuneration Board said that it would not be appropriate for Assembly Members to receive a pay rise while the rest of Wales was suffering financially due to the spread of the virus.

“The Board recognises the important role undertaken by Members in representing their electorate and their commitment to undertaking their duties in these difficult times,” they said.

“At the same time, the Board considered the significant and unfavourable economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in Wales.  Many workers in Wales will have been adversely affected by current circumstances, because either they have become unemployed or are in receipt of a reduced salary.

“The full economic impact on Welsh earnings is as yet unknown, however, the Board recognises that the economic picture is now profoundly changed since the last ASHE adjustment was published.

“The Board believes that allowing the indexed salary rise to take place in such circumstances would go against its principle that decisions must be appropriate within the context of Welsh earnings and the wider financial circumstances of Wales. It is also of the view that this principle is important in maintaining public confidence at a time of unprecedented challenges for the nation.

“The Board intends to review this matter again ahead of October 2020 to assess whether or not it is appropriate for it to apply the adjustment at that time.”

Adjustment

The pay of Members and officeholders is adjusted in April of each year by the change in the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), annual gross Median Earnings for full-time employee jobs in Wales between March and March of the previous year.

This adjustment would be 4.4 per cent for the financial year 2020-21, and would automatically apply as a result of a provision outlined in the Board’s Determination on Members’ Pay and Allowances.