MPs protest as Commons staff pay gulf yawns wider
Thursday 21 March 2013
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EmailLabour MP Jim Sheridan protested today against a "grotesque" 1 per cent pay clamp on thousands of parliamentary workers while top managers get 5 per cent.
Nearly 70 MPs have signed Mr Sheridan's early day motion (EDM) complaining of double standards at Parliament.
Mr Sheridan, who is chair of the Unite union parliamentary group, said: "Staff are outraged at the 1 per cent offer."
Workers hit by the pay cap include chefs, waiters and clerical staff who ensure that Parliament functions for MPs and government.
Several of the senior managers earn £125,000 or more.
The only Tory MP signed up to the protest EDM is Stephen McPartland, a campaigner against tax evasion who recently became the first Conservative parliamentarian to write an article for the Morning Star.
SNP MP Brendan McNeil has put down a related motion noting that a 5 per cent increase on a salary of £135,000 gives an increase of £6,750, while 1 per cent of £25,000 is just £250.
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