MSPs could see their wages rocket by thousands under a new scheme devised at Westminster.
The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority has recommended MPs’ pay should rise by £6,000 to £74,000 per annum after the 2015 election in a proposal that has sparked fury.
In 2002 the Scottish Parliament passed a resolution linking the salaries so a Holyrood representative’s basic pay is 87.5% of someone elected to Westminster.
The current MSP salary is £58,097 but, if the proposals for members of the House of Commons go ahead, that basic wage would increase to around £64,750, plus expenses.
First Minister Alex Salmond says the IPSA plans are “unacceptable” and The Courier understands the SNP could use their majority to block any wage increase if the proposals came to a full vote.
A Scottish Parliament spokeswoman said that, once IPSA’s final recommendations are put forward, Holyrood’s Corporate Body will “consult with all political parties and make a recommendation to the Parliament”.
Scottish Labour’s business manager Paul Martin said he hoped “common sense will prevail” with the plans thrown out.
