Farron comments on MP's pay increase

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has said if the pay rise is imposed on MP's he 'expect[s] to do what I did 4 years ago when we last had a rise, and give it away - including to local groups such as the housing need charity Manna House in Kendal.'

MPs could be handed a £7,600 pay rise after the 2015 election when IPSA, the independent parliamentary watchdog announces its findings on Thursday. The 11% increase would take the standard salary to £74,000 by 2015.

Tim said: "For MPs to be awarded a pay rise at a time when other people are having to cope with a pay-freeze, or a pay cut, is crass and unjustifiable. Its right that MPs' pay is no longer decided by MPs, and right that an independent body now makes that choice - but it shows a shocking example in difficult times like these for MPs to be awarded an increase. I have already objected to this rise when it was first suggested several months ago and I remain strongly of the view that this should not be happening. If the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority insists on pushing this through, I would expect to do what I did 4 years ago when we last had a rise, and give it away - including to local groups such as the Housing Need charity Manna House in Kendal."