IPSA, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, set up in the wake of the MP expenses scandal during the last Parliament, has recommended that Members of Parliament receive a pay rise of 11%. The recommendation has been branded ‘totally unacceptable’ by Nuneaton’s MP, Marcus Jones, whilst Dan Byles, the MP for North Warwickshire and Bedworth, has vowed not to accept the rise.

The 11% pay rise has attracted criticism from a number of senior Conservative MPs, including Cabinet Ministers.

Marcus and Dan have both expressed their concern over the recommended pay rise.

Commenting on the recommendation for a pay rise, Marcus said: “People in the public sector have had a pay freeze and now a 1% pay rise and many in the private sector have been in a similar situation. Whilst the economy is showing encouraging signs of recovery, many hard working people that I represent are struggling to meet their financial commitments at the moment and for their MPs to take a substantial pay rise would be a kick in the teeth for them.”

“The Government has made it clear in recent months and years that when it comes to tackling the huge budget deficit; we are all in this together. I do not see how it is feasible for IPSA to increase MPs salaries. It will further damage the public’s opinion of MPs and this rise is totally unacceptable.

“I will not accept this recommended pay rise at a time when so many of my constituents will not have had pay rises anywhere near this level for many years.”

Adding, Dan said: "While I support the principle that MPs should not set their own pay, I believe that the independent body, IPSA, have got this one badly wrong.

“Personally, I will not be accepting this pay increase."