Some are more equal than others

[GastonJ]

Keeping the public sector pay bill doesn't appear to be the thing for MP's

MPs have suggested a 32% hike in their pay to the Commons expenses watchdog, it has been revealed.

Members said they deserved an ?86,250 salary in an anonymous survey conducted by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa).

The research also found more than a third think they should keep final salary pensions.

The findings emerged as Ipsa published a report on its initial consultation into pay and pensions.

The Commons voted against a 1% pay rise in 2011 and, last year, agreed to extend the pay freeze into 2013.

But the survey found that 69% thought they were underpaid on their current salary of ?65,738.

BBC News - MPs call for '32% salary increase'

Conservative MPs were the most likely to believe they were underpaid, according to the results.

On average, Tories said their salary should be ?96,740, while Lib Dems thought the right amount was ?78,361 and Labour ?77,322. Other parties put the figure at ?75,091.

Now there's a surprise not! Can the public vote on this, just as MP's vote on public sector pay, or shareholders vote on board level pay in public companies.... one rule for those that make the rules and the rest can f**k off seems to be the rule.

[Meat-Head]

Some are more equal than others .

Yeah there the ones in BLUE says underneath their user name MODERATOR.

[ScreamingMidget]

Nice to see we're "All In This Together"......... except MP's of course.

[gc1966]

give it to them i say.
but to redress the balance stop them being able to claim a maximum ?150,000 per annum for expenses.

win,win for everyone then.

[Lainie]

its an effin joke. civil servants (when i say that term im meaning us mediocre office workers and not the hierarchy) are getting a pay cut this year as the increase in pension contributions is higher than the wage rise.

[Meat-Head]

Did nobody think of waiting till there no old people left?

[GastonJ]

I think they were hoping, like previous times, for a war where they would send a lot of people away to become cannon fodder so they'd not have to pay them, or that there'd be a flu pandemic to kill a few million off. None of that happened so now they'll be raising the pension age so that you'll be getting a telegram from the queen before you get our pension.

I'm guessing that, at some stage, those with private pensions (the ones who saved) will find they won't be eligible for a state pension (which they also paid for), since "we're all in it together" and "we should understand". I understand alright, I've been paying for my pension for a long time now, and near the end - they goalposts were moved.

[johnboy1974]

Well they had their dodgy expenses taken away so now they have to recoup their losses.

[Snowy79]

The biggest fud was Labours own Gordon Brown who hammered pensions.

[jordigirl]

Well they had their dodgy expenses taken away so now they have to recoup their losses.

they still are claiming for dodgy expenses - just that it being kept a bit more quiet this time

they still have quite a lot they can claim for in expenses

[Meat-Head]

I've been paying for my pension for a long time now, and near the end - they goalposts were moved.

ignore this question if you want.

i guess your expecting to retire at 65, but what age does the goverment want you to work to?

[GastonJ]

The government want me to retire at 67 from what I've seen and read. I'm expecting to retire before my 55th birthday tbh.

[Lainie]

i wanted to retire at 55 as well gaston but no chance. guess im kinda luckier than some as i will have 2 civil service pensions. i certainly dont pay ?100's a month for them but then i dont earn enough to do that. then again ive been working solid since i was 17 apart from the 10 months between leaving nat savings and starting where i am now.

old civil service pensions were really good but now they are crap. i had nearly 18 yrs service with the first one and if i get to 65 and be lucky enough to still be working will have had 23 years (providing i can stick it) with this current one and the forecasted monies are miles apart.

i need to work to 67 or 68 i think to get state pension - **** i will be lucky if im alive then!!

[Meat-Head]

i need to work to 67 or 68 i think to get state pension !!

so what about these 'unemplyed' people that have never worked, will they get told of naff orf, or will out next generation of pay tayers be funding them?

[Lainie]

they will only get the basic state pension meat. i wouldnt even give them that if they have never paid N I conts. then again i would only pay benefit for 2 yrs max if no nino conts paid and those that dont work would certainly not be allowed to rent from private landlords. ive asked before wtf is the point in paying National Insurance?