The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) has announced a citizens' forum to debate MPs' pay and funding, as budgets for salaries and expenses have surged by £30 million. The watchdog will invite randomly selected members of the public to an 'honest conversation' about what democracy is worth.
Ipsa, established after the 2010 expenses scandal, sets MPs' basic annual salary at £93,904 from April 2025 and oversees business costs. The forum will involve 25 participants chosen from 10,000 lottery letters, with sessions in September 2025 offering £250 for two full days and two evenings of online discussion.
Public opinion on MPs' pay remains divided. A 2021 survey found 62% of people thought pay was too high, 27% considered it about right, and only 3% believed it was too low. Ipsa's 2024 report highlighted a lack of understanding about pay decisions and myths about taxpayer-funded private homes.
Ipsa chair Richard Lloyd stated: 'We want to support a diverse parliament where being an MP is not reserved for the wealthy. We know trust in democracy is low, and abuse towards MPs is rising. We want an open conversation on what democracy is worth.' The watchdog will also engage online and with experts, with outcomes informing pay decisions from 2026.
