Parties unite behind freeze on MSP pay

£1.5 million is to be saved in real terms by a cross-party agreement to freeze MSPs’ pay and allowances for two years. It is hoped that the gesture will boost public appreciation of MSPs in the wake of spending cuts issued by Westminster.

Alex Fergusson, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament said: “We have been in discussion with party leaders in respect of the level of MSPs’ pay and expenses to be included in our budget submission and I have received cross-party support for a proposal to freeze MSPs’ pay at the current level until March 31, 2013.”

SNP group secretary and Finance Committee member Joe Fitzpatrick said: “It is entirely appropriate MSPs should take the lead in taking a pay and expenses freeze until 2013.

“When people across public and private sectors are facing pay restraint, and we are dealing with severe pressures on the Scottish budget, it is right and proper for MSPs to accept a pay freeze and I welcome that fact that there has been a cross-party agreement on this proposal.”

Conservative Finance spokesman, Derek Brownlee said: “This pay freeze should not affect the very lowest paid but it is only right MSPs are included, together with others in the public sector earning over £21,000 a year.

"A public sector pay freeze would protect jobs and help secure the recovery. The Scottish Parliament has set a good example and it is up to the Scottish Government to follow suit in next week’s budget.”