Politicians should 'certainly have a pay freeze', says MP Steve Baker

23 November 2020, 10:22

MPs should 'certainly' have a pay freeze

By Fiona Jones

Conservative MP Steve Baker told LBC that it is an "ugly look" if politicians receive a £3,300 salary increase amid talks of a possible public sector pay freeze.

The MP for Wycombe said that those in Westminster should "certainly" take a pay freeze as reports show the Chancellor could halt public sector wages in his spending plans which will be announced on Wednesday.

Trade unions warn of a public sector strike if Rishi Sunak makes this move in his bid to bolster public finances after a huge rise in spending to fight coronavirus.

Those affected would likely be those who were considered key workers such as the police, teachers, armed forces and civil servants - an outcome which unions brand "insulting" as they have "underpinned the fabric of society" during the pandemic.

"I've already said on Twitter that MPs should certainly have a pay freeze, even if it means legislating to take from IPSA their independence on these matters," Mr Baker said.

He told Nick Ferrari he was "sick" of the MPs' expenses situation "being mischaracterised": "I have never had a slap up dinner at taxpayer expense other than the extent to which I am paid by the taxpayer.

"I am really parsimonious in my use of expenses, it's not normally expenses in the expense people would consider them, it's things like employing staff and staff having reasonable costs.

"Some of the things people believe about our expenses are simply untrue."

The Treasury has not commented on the speculation, however the Chancellor's July plans for the upcoming Spending Review were outlined in a press release: "In the interest of fairness we must exercise restraint in future public sector pay awards."

More Nick Ferrari

See more More Nick Ferrari

Exclusive
Jane Rubens, 73, from Edinburgh was hit by a large vehicle in early November and remains in a coma.

Insurance firm gave Brit 'less than 24 hours' to make a decision against doctors’ advice after mum suffered brain injury

Exclusive
LBC’s Nick Ferrari has remembered being spiked while at a party.

‘The whole world was spinning’: Nick Ferrari candidly recalls drink spiking as he shares 'appalling' side-effects

Exclusive
‘The storm of war is gathering’: Defence cuts leave UK critically unprepared for a 'bumpy decade', warns ex-minister

‘The storm of war is gathering’: Defence cuts leave UK 'woefully unprepared' for a 'bumpy decade', warns ex-minister

Education Secretary Bridget Philipson 'hasn't changed her mind' and will vote against assisted dying bill

Education Secretary Bridget Philipson 'hasn't changed her mind' and will vote against assisted dying bill

Nick Ferrari takes to the streets of the US to ask Americans: 'Can you identify these British politicians?'

Nick Ferrari takes to the streets of the US to ask Americans: 'Can you identify these British politicians?'

Why did Trump win and why did Harris lose? Nick Ferrari asks American voters

Why did Trump win and Harris lose? Nick Ferrari asks American voters in the wake of US election results

Nick Ferrari attends his first Trump rally in Pennsylvania as he meets the crowd in 'the poorest city in the United States'

Nick Ferrari attends his first Trump rally in Pennsylvania as he meets the crowd in 'the poorest city in the US'

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said she strongly disagrees with a tweet that a backbench MP appeared to have reposted saying Kemi Badenoch represents "white supremacy in blackface".

Cooper condemns 'appalling' tweet shared by Dawn Butler labelling Kemi Badenoch 'white supremacy in blackface'

Exclusive
Cumberland County: Where the US election could be won or lost

Nick Ferrari travels to America for the US Election: Watch the best bits here

Exclusive
The Chancellor was speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari at Breakfast

Chancellor ‘doesn’t know’ salary of new chairman tasked with ensuring government ‘value for money'

Transparency over Southport stabbings key to avoiding 'deep public mistrust in the criminal justice system', says Jenrick

Transparency over Southport stabbings key to avoiding 'deep public mistrust' in criminal justice system, says Jenrick

Exclusive
The government has introduced its football governance bill.

'We're on the same side': Minister denies feud with Premier League over Football Governance Bill

Exclusive
Protest sign reading Danger water pollution, this water is polluted with raw sewage. The responsible party is Thames Water. River Wey, Guildford, UK

Government warns demand for water could outstrip supply as they launch review into 'broken' sector

Nick Ferrari.

'He'll look over his shoulder for the rest of his life': Concern for Martyn Blake's privacy long overdue

Exclusive
'No one gutsy enough to address this': Mylene Klass calls on government to introduce paid miscarriage leave.

Government not 'gutsy' enough to implement paid miscarriage leave claims Myleene Klass

Exclusive
David Cameron speaks to LBC

David Cameron calls for UK to sanction two Israeli ministers as change on arms embargo 'didn't satisfy anybody'