Next month, Welsh Parliament members will receive a 3% salary increase, aligning with the highest permissible rise established at the onset of the current Senedd term in 2021. This adjustment mirrors the increment from the previous year, elevating the annual pay of backbench members to £72,057.
In contrast, the independent remuneration board, responsible for setting these figures and operating separately from Cardiff Bay’s legislative body, decided on a 5.7% wage boost for the members’ support staff. Elizabeth Haywood, the board chair, explained that the salary adjustments aim to address the escalating living costs.
The salary framework for Senedd members ties their pay to a benchmark of average earnings within Wales, subject to a 3% ceiling. This structure also applies to ministers and other high-ranking officials who receive additional compensation beyond the base salary.
Politicians in Welsh Parliament (Credits: BBC)
Following the update, the First Minister’s salary will increase to £157,624, with other senior ministers earning £112,588 and junior ministers $95,701. Elin Jones, the Presiding Officer overseeing Senedd discussions, will have a new salary of £118,217, and her deputy will make £95,701.
Salaries for opposition leaders within the Senedd vary based on the size of their party representation. Consequently, Andrew RT Davies of the Welsh Conservative group will see his salary rise to £104,709, and Plaid Cymru’s Rhun ap Iorwerth will earn £100,205.
The adjustments come in a period marked by a 3.4% inflation rate in the UK as of February 2024, indicating the lowest level of inflation since September 2021.
Haywood acknowledged the financial strains faced by members and staff due to the ongoing cost of living surge, asserting that the board’s decisions for the 2024-25 fiscal year are designed to mitigate these financial pressures.
Senedd Members (Credits: ITVX)
She emphasized the board’s dedication to ensuring financial support for members is sufficient for fulfilling their roles while also maintaining accountability, cost-effectiveness, and transparency in public fund usage.
Meanwhile, at the national level in Westminster, MPs are poised to receive a 5.5% salary increase, bringing their yearly earnings to £91,346, as lawmakers across the UK navigate the challenges of responding to economic conditions and public scrutiny.
