Cameron tells cabinet: don't say you'll give pay rise to charity

David Cameron used a Cabinet meeting earlier this week to warn Tory ministers to "fall into line" over the ten per cent pay rise awarded to MPs and not to say publicly that they would give the extra money to charity.

The Daily Telegraph claims the PM issued the ruling because of fears that "any instructions to refuse the pay rise could anger backbenchers", putting Cameron's slender Commons majority at risk.

While some backbenchers have spoken out against the pay rise – calling it "unacceptable" and "immoral" at a time when the government is pursuing an austerity programme – many are said to be happy with the increase.

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Their salaries have effectively slipped in recent years and, of course, they are receiving considerably less in "expenses". So the pay rise advocated by Ipsa, the body put in charge of MP's pay and rewards following the Commons expenses scandal, is welcome even if it is "inappropriate". The ten per cent hike will put backbenchers on £74,000 a year, while Cameron's pay packet will increase to £149,440.

Cameron's edict not to rock the boat was not obeyed by all, however, with Education Secretary Nicky Morgan the first to say she would be giving her pay rise to charity.

"The Prime Minister told everyone to fall into line that although the pay rise is opposed, there were to be no public statements about giving the money to charity or things like that," a senior source told the Telegraph. "Then Nicky went out the next day and said she was giving the money to charity."

Last night on the BBC's Question Time show from Plymouth, Justine Greening, the International Development Secretary, said the proposed pay rise could not be justified and that she was "fed up" with Ipsa. "How anyone can think that this kind of proposal is acceptable is utterly beyond me," she said.

Her frustration is reflected in the official government line – which is that Ipsa should rethink its recommendation before the pay increase comes into effect in September.

The BBC reports that Chris Grayling, the Leader of the Commons, has written to Ipsa chairman Sir Ian Kennedy to reiterate that "a pay rise of this nature at this time is not appropriate".

Ipsa's line is that the pay rise is counter-balanced by a reduction in pension rights and other perks and that there appears to be no "material" reason to change the recommendation.