The National Assembly for Wales' Independent Remuneration Board has published its annual report for the year 2016-17.
The National Assembly was the first parliamentary body in the UK to set up an independent body to determine the pay and allowances of Members.
The Board was established by the National Assembly for Wales (Remuneration) Measure 2010 and has the responsibility of setting the remuneration and financial support for Members of the National Assembly to enable them to fulfil their roles effectively.
The annual report outlines the work that the Board have undertaken during the last financial year and provides a review of the decisions they have taken during that year. These decisions include:
An increase of 2.1 per cent in Assembly Member Support Staff salaries for 2017-18 in line with the 2016 figures for Wales in the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings;
An increase of 2.1 per cent in the total Political Party Support Allowance, in line with the increase in Support Staff salaries;
Creating a ring-fenced fund to provide necessary and reasonable security enhancements for Members in their constituency offices, residential accommodation and their homes.
Chair of the Independent Remuneration Board the Rt Hon Dame Dawn Primarolo, said:
"This report outlines the decisions we have taken as a Board to ensure that Assembly Members are appropriately resourced and supported to effectively fulfil their Parliamentary duties, whilst also maintaining a principle to ensure good value for money for the public purse.
"We will continue to review the Determination for the Fifth Assembly as we ensure that Assembly Members have the support they require to meet the challenges posed by an evolving Assembly."