Local MPs Marcus Jones (Nuneaton) and Dan Byles (North Warwickshire) have vowed to vote against a 1% pay rise being proposed for Members of Parliament by the Independent Senior Salaries Review Body.

The 1% pay rise has been approved by the review body but has attracted criticism from a senior Conservative MP, Sir George Young. The Leader of the House has urged MPs to reject the rise.

Nuneaton MP Marcus Jones and North Warwickshire MP Dan Byles have both expressed their concern over the pay rise and have vowed to vote against it.

Government Ministers, who earn higher salaries than backbenchers, have agreed to take a 5% pay cut this year and their salaries will be frozen for the remainder of the current Parliament.

Commenting on the recommendation for a pay rise, Marcus Jones said: “Given that there is a two year public sector pay freeze on salaries over £21,000 I cannot vote for the recommended increase in pay.

“Many hard working people are struggling to meet their financial commitments at the moment and for their MPs to take a pay rise of any size would be a kick in the teeth for them.”

Adding, Dan Byles said: “The Government has made it clear in recent months 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 MPs to vote to increase their salaries, which are substantially higher than £21,000. It will further damage the public’s opinion of MPs following the expenses scandal of the previous Parliament.”