By Joe McCann
ON April Fools Day, MLAs across Northern Ireland will receive a £14,200 pay rise, taking their salaries from £53,000 to £67,200, an increase of 27%.
The increases were suggested approved and by the Independent Remuneration Board. The board is responsible for setting MLAs pay and pensions and had sought views and feedback from MLAs, the Assembly Commission and the Assembly Members’ Pension Trustees.
Much comment has been made of the pay rise for MLAs, after it recently emerged that only 10 pieces of legislation have been passed by Stormont in the two years since power-sharing resumed.
There has also been criticism that the pay rises come at a time of particularly acute price increases, especially for home heating oil as the public take a battering from the effects of the cost-of- living crisis and the American/Israeli war with Iran.
The Spectator reached out to all five MLAs for North Down to ask them for their thoughts on their salary increases. The five MLAs are Stephen Dunne and Peter Martin, from the DUP, UUP MLA Alan Chambers and Alliance Party MLAs Andrew Muir and Connie Egan.
None of the local MLAs responded personally to the request for comment, instead choosing to put forward a statement from their relevant party press offices.
However, Bangor Independent Unionist councillor Wesley Irvine has called on the MLAs not to take the pay rises as they risk undermining public confidence.
The DUP stated it is right and proper that those whose pay is being determined have no role whatsoever in its setting. “It must be a totally independent process,” it stated.
“DUP MLAs are elected to serve the people and work daily to help their constituents. Our members did not enter public service for financial gain and will continue to work for people in Northern Ireland.”
The statement from Alliance said the party shared the public’s concern and added that parties who stop the government from functioning should have their pay stalled.
“Alliance believes any increase must be cognisant of the unprecedented pressures facing public finances and in line with uplifts in pay for other public sector workers,” it stated.
“We share and understand the public’s concern at the level of the proposed hike, which is compounded further by a glacial pace of delivery at Stormont, and the impact of stop- start government over the past decade.”
A UUP spokesman said MLAs had no power over setting their salaries and that they understood concerns around the process.
“We understand why many people will look at the headline figure and question it. At a time when many householdsaredealing with rising costs and ongoing financial pressure, concerns about the remuneration of elected representatives are entirely understandable.
“There is never a good time to discuss the remuneration of elected representatives, particularly when many (rightly) feel the Assembly and Executive should be delivering more. Our focus has been, and remains, on improving how our institutions function and on delivering better outcomes and services for the people we represent.”
However, Mr Irvine who represents Bangor Central, said MLAs should reject their pay rises and stand in solidarity with the public and deliver an effective government.
“At a time when families across North Down and beyond are struggling with the rising cost of living, increasing the salaries of Members of the Legislative Assembly sends the wrong message,” he said.
“Many people are working harder than ever just to cover basic expenses such as energy bills, food, and housing.
“Public representatives should be demonstrating leadership and solidarity with the communities they serve. Approving a pay rise while public services remain under pressure risks undermining public trust in politics and in the institutions meant to represent ordinary people.
“Instead of prioritising higher salaries for elected officials, the focus should be on delivering effective government, strengthening public services, and supporting those most affected by economic hardship. Leadership requires recognising the realities people face everyday and ensuring that decisions reflect fairness, responsibility, and accountability,” he said.
