Stormont MLA salaries to rise by 27% – TUV’s Timothy Gaston brands £14k increase “loaded dice” decision

TUV MLA for North Antrim Timothy Gaston

Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) MLA Timothy Gaston has strongly criticised a £14,000 pay rise for Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), after a determination increased Stormont salaries by 27% from £53,000 to £67,200.

In a statement, Mr Gaston said the decision by the Independent Remuneration Board would result in a substantial uplift in pay at a time when many households across Northern Ireland are facing ongoing financial pressures.

MLA salaries rise from £53,000 to £67,200

Under the new determination, MLA salaries will increase by 27%, representing a £14,000 rise.

Mr Gaston said:

“The so-called Independent Remuneration Board has delivered exactly the outcome MLAs always intended. When this legislation came before the Assembly, I warned that the dice were loaded to produce a massive pay hike. That warning has now been vindicated.

“MLA salaries are set to rise by 27% — from £53,000 to £67,200. That is a £14,000 pay increase.”

The North Antrim representative argued that the increase comes at a time when the Assembly’s legislative powers have been diminished.

“This comes at a time when Stormont has less power than ever. Under the Protocol, around 60% of the laws governing our economy are now made by a foreign power. Legislative authority has been stripped away — yet MLA pay is being increased dramatically.”

Provisions for Executive deadlock

The TUV MLA also addressed provisions linked to the formation of an Executive following an election.

“Some will attempt to spin this by pointing to provisions which reduce pay if an Executive is not formed. But the reality is simple. MLAs will receive full pay for the first six weeks after an election. Only then does salary fall in stages — first to £60,480, then to £54,432, and only after eighteen weeks to £48,988.

“In other words, after months of deadlock, pay merely drops back to roughly what MLAs are on today — but only after first being lifted sharply upwards.”

Concerns over consultation and accountability

Mr Gaston further criticised what he described as a lack of public consultation.

“There has been no meaningful public consultation on the legislation which delivered this, and none at all on the determination imposed by the so-called ‘Independent’ Board.

“The public pay MLA wages, yet they were never asked. Indeed, MLAs have designed a system which ensures the taxpayer has no voice.”

He added:

“It is telling that one of the first priorities of this Assembly has been to move MLA pay up towards the level of the Seanad in the Irish Republic.

“At a time when major issues facing ordinary people go unaddressed, Stormont has made clear what its priorities are.”

Wider context

The pay determination has prompted debate over public finances and political accountability, particularly amid continuing cost-of-living pressures affecting households and businesses across Northern Ireland.

The Independent Remuneration Board is responsible for setting MLA pay and allowances.