Cameron tells cabinet: don't say you'll give pay rise to charity
PM gave order because he didn't want to risk upsetting backbenchers when he has such a small majority
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.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
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.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Outer Hebrides: a top travel destination
The Week Recommends Discover 'unspoiled beauty' of the Western Isles
By Tess Foley-Cox Published
-
The Biltmore Mayfair review: a quintessential slice of luxury London
The Week Recommends This swanky retreat in Grosvenor Square blends old-world glamour with modern comforts
By Caroline Dolby Published
-
Is ChatGPT's new search engine OpenAI's Google 'killer'?
Talking Point There's a new AI-backed search engine in town. But can it stand up to Google's decades-long hold on internet searches?
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
What is the next Tory leader up against?
Today's Big Question Kemi Badenoch or Robert Jenrick will have to unify warring factions and win back disillusioned voters – without alienating the centre ground
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What is Lammy hoping to achieve in China?
Today's Big Question Foreign secretary heads to Beijing as Labour seeks cooperation on global challenges and courts opportunities for trade and investment
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Britain about to 'boil over'?
Today's Big Question A message shared across far-right groups listed more than 30 potential targets for violence in the UK today
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
UK's Starmer slams 'far-right thuggery' at riots
Speed Read The anti-immigrant violence was spurred by false rumors that the suspect in the Southport knife attack was an immigrant
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The Tamils stranded on 'secretive' British island in Indian Ocean
Under the Radar Migrants 'unlawfully detained' since 2021 shipwreck on UK-controlled Diego Garcia, site of important US military base
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
David Cameron resigns as Sunak names shadow cabinet
Speed Read New foreign secretary joins 12 shadow ministers brought in to fill vacancies after electoral decimation
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Britain's Labour Party wins in a landslide
Speed Read The Conservatives were unseated after 14 years of rule
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published