UK MPs face backlash over £2,500 pay rise

Viewers of Good Morning Britain were upset today after hearing that UK Members of Parliament (MPs) will receive a £2,500 pay rise next month. This increase will boost their annual salary to £93,904, which is nearly £60,000 higher than the average wage in the UK. During the show, presenters Richard Madeley and Susanna Reid discussed the pay rise with guests Daisy McAndrew and Owen Jones. Daisy argued that better pay could attract higher-quality MPs, while Owen stressed the importance of having politicians who understand the real problems faced by people. The discussion prompted strong reactions on social media. Some viewers, like Jon Townsend and PammyG, found the raise "sickening" and felt that MPs should not get a pay rise in the current economic climate. Others, like Julian Yaqub, recognized both sides of the debate. The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) made the decision for the pay rise. They explained that the 2.8% increase aligns with salary recommendations for other government workers and is just above the current inflation rate of 2.5%. IPSA chair Richard Lloyd acknowledged the importance of public scrutiny regarding salaries and the pressures MPs face. Meanwhile, recent pay proposals for NHS staff and teachers have sparked their own controversies, with unions calling the increases insufficient and warning of potential strikes if conditions do not improve.