Rachael Maskell, MP for York Central, states that it is wrong of IPSA to insist that MPs should receive a 10% pay increase. Ms Maskell refuses to accept a pay increase, saying that MPs already get paid more than enough and it is immoral that they should receive more.

Ms Maskell is also refusing to take any of the additional accommodation allowances for living in London when working in Westminster during the week, believing that MPs get a very good wage and should only claim reimbursement for expenditure made on things like travel. She will only travel second class on the train or whatever is the cheapest way.

Rachael Maskell MP says:

“I will not be accepting a pay increase in line with the MPs 10% pay increase. Some say that they are planning to donate the additional money to charities, but first I believe that we should first fight the principle and ensure that that we don’t get the money. MPs are public servants as are our classroom assistants, nurses and colleagues in the benefits offices; our pay increase should not exceed other public sector workers”.

Ms Maskell, who represented workers in the NHS for five years prior to being elected, says that they received a real terms cut of at least 15% since 2010, many of whom were not on great wages in the first place. The government restrained the pay that Pay Review Bodies (PRBs) were allowed to award, and last year refused to even pay the PRBs recommendation of just 1%. The government has to be held to account for not putting the same restrictions on MP wages.