Four-year pay freeze for Assembly Members

12 November 2010

Assembly Members from all four parties have now informed the independent Remuneration Board that they are ready to see their salaries frozen for four years after the National Assembly election on 5 May 2011.

Board Chairman George Reid said: “I welcome this determination by AMs to play their part in addressing the challenges of the current economic situation, which is seeing widespread pay freezes in both the public and private sector.

“Allowing for inflation, the Assembly freeze is equivalent to a saving of £1m over the next four years.”

The Board is the independent statutory body responsible for determining the salaries and allowances of AMs and their staff.

The Board has commissioned a detailed study on median pay levels in Wales from two of its members, Professor Monojit Chatterji and Mary Carter, both experts in this field.

“We are determined to link our proposals to the earnings of the people of Wales,” said George Reid.

The Board is also looking at a number of key areas as part of the ongoing review process. They are:

• Supplementary pay for additional posts;

• The pay of Assembly Members’ support staff (AMSS); and

• The role of Assembly Members and the resources needed to carry out that role.

Assembly Members will be asked their views on these, and other, issues when the Board launches a consultative document in November. The Board will also welcome submissions from the general public and representative organisations.