Our MPs split over 10% pay rise plan

Most have yet to comment after being approached by the Express & Star to say what they will do with their 10 per cent increase.

It was imposed by the independent regulator despite the government saying public sector workers would have pay rises capped at one per cent.

Some MPs are handing their increases to charity while others say it is a personal matter for them what they do with it.

Wolverhampton South West Labour MP Rob Marris has openly admitted he will be keeping the increase, which will see the salary rise from £67,060 a year to £74,000.

He said: "Yes, I intend to accept this year's pay rise for MPs.

"I made my position clear before the General Election, whilst I was a candidate.

"The public has made it pretty clear that MPs should not set their own pay. I agree.

"On 24 May 2011, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) was made responsible for determining MPs' pay and setting the level of any increase in their salary. IPSA is also responsible for the oversight of the MPs' pension scheme.

"I support that mechanism.

"Either MPs set their own pay, or they accept the decision of an independent body, in this case IPSA. I oppose the former, and I support the latter."

Three MPs so far say they will give their increases to charity.

Adrian Bailey, MP for West Bromwich West, said: "If/when we ever receive it I shall use it to fund either local community initiatives or donate to local charities as appropriate."

Ian Austin, MP for Dudley North, referred all inquiries to a statement on his website made in 2013 when he declared he would donate any increase to charities in Dudley.

Jeremy Lefroy, MP for Stafford, said his views were well known. He has previously called for MPs' pay to being in line with the public sector or to go up or down in line with the national average and said he would give the increase to charity.

Others are following the lead of the Prime Minister who has said his decision will be a private matter.

Valerie Vaz, MP for Walsall South, said: "'The issue of MPs' pay was taken away from Parliament in 2009 and is decided independently by Ipsa.

"Ipsa has adjusted MPs' pay, pensions and other financial matters in a cost neutral way. I do not comment on how I spend my salary or any charitable donations I make."

And Wolverhampton South East MP Pat McFadden said: "The pay rise will be automatic. It will be paid whatever anyone decides to do. There is not the option to turn it down.

"The issue then will be what an MP decides to do with that increase. Charitable donations are a private matter for the individual."

Conservative MP for Lichfield Michael Fabricant responded to questions from members of the public on Twitter by saying: "So foolish when people tweet questions which require complex answers on twitter. The meaning of life restricted to less than 140 characters."

And David Winnick, Labour MP for Walsall North, said: "I perfectly understand why the question is being asked over the proposed salary increase; the honest answer is that at this stage I am not sure what I intend to do. Let us see if the increase actually goes through."