Independent panel to set Assembly members’ pay and expenses a step closer after AMs vote yes

Assembly Members today (24 March) voted in favour of moving forward with the National Assembly for Wales (Remuneration) Measure.

This first ever National Assembly Commission proposed Measure will set up a new remuneration board, independent from Assembly Members, which will in future determine members’ pay and allowances.

Today members agreed the general principles of the proposed Measure, which means the measure will now progress to the next stage of scrutiny.

“I am delighted that members have today given their backing to the principle of this important piece of legislation,” said the member in charge of the measure, Presiding Officer Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas AM.

“This measure will lead to a more open and transparent system of financial support for Assembly Members.

“It will demonstrate to voters in Wales that we are committed to a fair and transparent system and I believe this will rebuild trust with the Welsh electorate after all the negative publicity surrounding the expenses system in Westminster.

“The National Assembly has been at the forefront of addressing this issue of trust.

“Remember this Measure is one of the recommendations from the Independent Panel that we set up to look into the system of financial support a full eight months before the problems in Westminster were first higlighted.”

The Measure will now be subject to detailed scrutiny and consideration of amendments in Legislation Committee No.1 (referred to as Stage 2) before returning for final consideration by the Assembly in the summer term (Stage 3).