MPs across the UK are getting a pay rise – here’s what they now earn
UK Members of Parliament will see their basic annual salary increase to £98,599 starting 1 April 2026, following a decision by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA).
The 5% rise, from the current £93,904 set in April 2025, combines a 3.5% cost-of-living adjustment and a 1.5% benchmarking uplift. IPSA, the independent watchdog responsible for setting MPs’ pay since 2011, announced the change on 1 March.
In a statement, IPSA indicated this is the first step toward a longer-term target salary of around £110,000 by the end of the current Parliament in 2029.
The watchdog plans incremental increases over the next three years, based on ongoing reviews of economic conditions, benchmarking against senior civic roles and international parliamentarians, and the evolving demands of the job.
“The role of an MP has evolved. They are dealing with higher levels of complex casework, and abuse and intimidation towards MPs and their staff has been growing,” said Richard Lloyd, IPSA’s Chair.
“In reaching our decision for 2026-27 we have benchmarked MPs’ pay against other responsible, senior roles in civic society and similar worldwide democracies, as well as considering our own core principles and the wider economic context. In future years we will continue to consider prevailing economic and fiscal conditions when confirming annual pay decisions taking into account the experience of people outside of parliament.”
The decision follows public consultation and IPSA’s legal duty to review pay early in each parliamentary term. IPSA was established in 2009 in response to the parliamentary expenses scandal to restore independence in regulating MPs’ finances.
The pay rise has already sparked criticism. Parliamentary staff, who are offered only an optional 3.5% increase, have expressed frustration over the disparity amid low pay and high workloads in constituency offices. Some commentators have highlighted the contrast with recent public sector settlements, such as nurses receiving around 3.3%.
MPs’ total remuneration includes the basic salary plus expenses for staffing, office costs, travel, and accommodation (such as the London area living payment for those with constituencies outside the capital).
Additional salaries apply for roles like ministers, the Speaker, or committee chairs.
