Office Holders' Remuneration

The independent Remuneration Board today published details of the additional salaries which will be paid to office holders in the fourth National Assembly. These will be frozen for four years.

“We believe that our decisions are fair, clear and sustainable,” said Chair of the Board, The Rt Hon George Reid.

“They are appropriate to Wales, represent value for money, and reflect the extra responsibilities of AMs who hold additional offices.”

Mr Reid added that, following extensive oral and written evidence, the Board recognised the enhanced legislative powers of the Fourth Assembly — and its fundamental purpose of scrutinising legislation, holding the Government to account, and representing the people of Wales.

Chairs of eight Committees will be paid £12,420. This recognises the increased responsibilities of five which combine legislative and scrutiny functions and the broadly comparable role of three others in scrutinising Government proposals. The chairs of two smaller Committees will be paid £8,280.

Assembly Commissioners will also be paid £12,420. This recognises their responsibility for the good governance and finance of the legislature, and their commitment to a more collegiate and proactive role.

Payment to whips will cease. “It is not appropriate for the public purse to fund what is essentially a party political function,” said Mr Reid.

The role of business managers in organising and agreeing the business of the Assembly is, however, recognised. They will receive a base payment of £6,210 and a proportional element of £250 per member in their group, subject to a cap of £12,420.

All evidence received by the Board indicated that the highest level of responsibility outside Government lay with opposition party leaders.

“They must have a grip on everything, policy as well as internal direction,” Mr Reid commented.

“They have to articulate an alternative vision for Wales to that of the First Minister.”

“We could not however accept that it was appropriate for the leader of the largest party in opposition to receive £30,000 more than the leader of the next party as was the case in previous years. In a broadly proportional Assembly, there might be only a couple of seats between them.

“Or they might have the same number of members. We have developed a way of calculating salaries for opposition leaders which is equitable, transparent and fit for the Fourth Assembly.”

Opposition leaders will in future receive a salary of £12,420 plus a proportional element of £1000 per seat held. In the Fourth Assembly, the Conservative leader will receive £26,420, the Plaid Cymru leader £23,240 and the Liberal Democrat leader £17,420.

There is a reduction of £71,170 (7.2%) compared to the third Assembly. See comparative table below.

Mr Reid said “The Board has now, after examination of the skills and responsibilities of each additional office, determined the relativities involved, and established a clear system which can be carried forward into future Assemblies”.

Report : National Assembly for Wales Remuneration Board Determination (No. 2) July 2011

Total Additional Salaries of Office Holders^[1]