MLAs to get £1,000 pay rise… and a possible additional £500 each year

Elected members of the Stormont Assembly are to get a £1,000 a year pay rise.

Successful candidates in the May’s election will see the basic salary rise from £48,000 to £49,000 with a further £500 each year if inflation is more than 1%.

The increase was recommended by an independent panel which has made significant changes to the rules on MLAs' expenses.

The new rules will begin immediately after the assembly election in May.

Chairperson of the Independent Financial Review Panel, Pat McCartan, said the "radical changes" would "enhance public confidence in our politicians".

As part of the changes, an MLA's basic salary rise by£1,000 a year.

Under the previous regime, MLAs could claim an expenses entitlement of just over £67,000, but this system has been abolished.

Changes include:

MLAs will be now be allowed to employ a maximum of two full-time staff, with a total wage bill of £50,000.

All future vacancies for MLA support staff will be filled after a public advertisement and open competition.

MLAs will only be able to employ one close relative.

They will also only be able to have one office in their constituency.

The rent limit for constituency offices will be £8,500.

MLAs will also be able to claim an extra 40% for rates.

These allowances will be reduced if MLAs share offices with other politicians.

MLAs will not be able to claim expenses for offices rented from their parties or "connected individuals or groups".

There will also be restrictions on office signs.

Publicly-funded offices must not be called "party advice centres" and any party logo must be accompanied by an assembly logo.

The system for claiming mileage will be replaced by a fixed travel allowance for each constituency.

The amount will vary depending on distance from Stormont. . Junior ministers' salaries will be cut from £60,000 to £55,000.

The Speaker's salary will drop from £92,000 to £87,000.

The panel expect the changes generate savings of up to £2 million over the next five years.