British watchdog proposes parliamentary pay raise

An independent parliamentary watchdog in Britain has recommended a pay raise of 9.3 per cent for UK lawmakers from 2015.
The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) also recommended cuts to perks such as meal allowances and taxis and a less generous pension scheme.
An "golden goodbyes" paid to retiring MPs could also be trimmed.
The plan has been condemned by party leaders and some MPs who say IPSA should go back to the drawing board. The watchdog is to consult on the rise but MPs cannot block it because they handed over control of the decision to the Independent body in the wake up of the 2009 expenses scandal.

Sir Ian Kennedy, Chairman of IPSA said: "The history of MPs' pay and pensions is a catalogue of fixes, fudges and failures to act. The package we put forward today represents the end of the era of MPs' remuneration being settled by MPs themselves."
"For the first time, an independent body will decide what MPs should receive. We will do so in full view, and after consultation with the public," he added.

MPs are currently paid 66,396, pounds but that is due to rise to 67,000 pounds in April 2014 and rise by further 1 per cent the following year.

The recommendation amounts to a rise of around 6,300 pounds a year or 9.3 per cent on what MPs would be getting in 2015.
Some MPs have attacked the proposals, saying IPSA should have taken greater account of the state of the wider economy and the pay freeze across the public and private sector.