Government ministers’ salaries to be frozen amid backlash at pay rise for MPs

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. While MPs’ pay is set by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, ministerial salaries are fixed by the government and successive prime ministers since 2010 have held them down to avoid a political backlash. “This year of all years we shouldn’t have it,” Sir Keir said on Monday, adding: “That money, if it’s available, should be spent on key workers – those who have been on the frontline through this pandemic.” The annual rise for MPs is based on a comparison with public sector pay and is subject to a consultation process which ends in November, with a final decision expected the following month and the rise taking effect from April 2021. On top of their MP’s pay of almost £82,000, ministers receive separate government salaries worth £75,440 for the prime minister, £67,505 for secretaries of state and between £22,375 and £31,680 for lower-ranking ministers. Announcing the zero per cent rise in this element of their pay for 2021-22, Mr Johnson’s official spokesman said: “The prime minister has decided that at a time of significant presser on public finances, it is only right that ministerial salaries should be frozen.” Salaries for ministers in the House of Lords, who receive expenses but not pay for their service as members of the second chamber, will remain at 2019-20 levels.