Is Britain Broken?

Over the last few years since the MP's expenses scandal the public have become more and more aware of how MP's look upon their job as part of a political cash cow. The current annual salary for an MP is £65,738. 

The vast majority of people working and living in Britain would love to get a  basic  salary of £65,738. Typical comparative earnings in the uk include Office Administrator £16,328 -  Software Developer £28,989 - Operations Manager £34,031 - Graphic Designer £20,644. 

How does the current annual salary for an MP of £65,738. Which works out at  (£28.07 per hour) if the MP attends parliament every hour of every working day.  Now compare to the National Minimum Wage of £6.19 (over 21) or £4.98 (18 - 20) or £3.68 (under 18) and £2.65 (apprentice) It does not compare very well!

However, our MP's don't even have to attend parliament - they can "pair" with other MP's of other parties if they both want time off. Even when Parliament is in session. Television pictures often show an almost empty House of Commons. 

At the moment MP's could only attend parliament for 13 fridays in the current year! Parliament sat for 5 days in April and our MP's enjoyed a three week break for easter. Then our MP's had a two week break for Whitsuntide. Then they enjoyed a seven week break for the summer holidays. 

Why do our MP's need at that time off? 

Because as an MP you can have a second, third and in many cases a fourth job. Sixty-eight MPs are known to earn more than £10,000 from each of their other jobs. With at least eighteen known to be receiving more than £100,000 in additional pay. As you can see it hard for them to make ends meet and they must struggle with all the additional expense thats created. 

• In addition, MPs receive expenses to cover the costs of travelling between Parliament and their constituency. The vast majority of people working and living in Britain would love to get their travelling expenses to and from their place of work.

• In addition, MPs receive expenses to cover the costs of having somewhere to live in their constituency. The vast majority of people working and living in Britain would love to get their mortgage on their family home paid for by their employer.

• In addition, a large number of MPs receive expenses to cover the costs of having somewhere to live near parliament in London. The vast majority of people working and living in Britain would love to get a little flat provided free of charge with their job.

• In addition, MPs receive expenses to cover the costs of running an office, employing staff. The staff are also known as wife, mother, son or daughter. Often with no qualifications whatsoever for the work they get paid to do.

• In addition, the House of Commons provides a cash sum per year for the provision of postage paid envelopes and House of Commons stationery to all MPs This sum is in addition to any costs that may be reimbursed under the IPSA expenses scheme.

• In addition, there is a contributory final salary pension scheme for Members of the House of Commons to which MPs can contribute either 11.9%, 7.9% or 5.9% of their parliamentary salary.

• In addition there is an MP's Resettlement Grant, because when they leave office they also get some additional payments. The Resettlement Grant is the name given to the MP's pay package, intended to help MPs with the costs of adjusting to non parliamentary life. It is payable to any Member who ceases to be an MP at a General Election. The amount is based on age and length of service, and varies between 50% and 100% of the annual salary payable to a Member of Parliament at the time of the Dissolution.

• In addition there is Severance Pay package which is tax free. The amount retiring MPs, or those who lose their seats receive depends on how old they are and how long they have served in the House. Example. An MP who stays in office for one term and then leaves office will currently receive tax-free severance pay of 50% of his current salary, or £32,383 at current rates .

• In addition there is a Winding-up Allowance. With up to £42,000 on offer to pay for winding up staff staff pay and office rent.

• But thats not all. There is extra pay terms and conditions if you become a minister or junior minister. Prime Minister has a salary of £142,500. Cabinet ministers receive a salary of £134,565. Committee chairs get £80,320. The Speaker's salary is £141,504.

• MPs do not even have to live in their constituency - there is no residency qualification at all, MPs could if they wish live outside the UK.

These are the people who we entrust with the management of the country. They often repay the trust we place in them in very unusual ways. Like flipping houses, fiddling additional money out of their already cushy expenses. 

Later....