Fabian Hamilton will not take 2009 pay increase

Statement by Fabian Hamilton MP

MPs' Salaries

"In the light of the current world-wide economic situation and the widespread difficulties being experienced at the present time by many of my constituents, I have decided to forgo this year's salary increase that has been awarded to MPs and give the money to charity. The decision taken by Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister, to freeze his own salary and that of all government ministers is, I believe, wholly right in the present circumstances and I feel personally uncomfortable about taking a pay rise. Many workers are losing employment or facing pay cuts at the present time, and businesses are in difficulty. I therefore feel that is not appropriate for politicians to remain immune from the situation that so many people in my constituency are now experiencing."

In the light of this I have decided to help St Gemma's Hospice in Moortown rather than accept the money myself. I will be donating the net increase in my salary for 2009 to the hospice and, at the same time, making a gift aid declaration. That will mean that the hospice will recover much of the tax that I will have paid on the increase before receiving it.

Background note

The basic annual salary of a back-bench MP was £63291and scheduled to rise to £64766 from 1st April 2009. The annual pay rise that Fabian Hamilton will not be taking this year is £1475

MPs are also allowed to claim expenses in respect of the costs of employing staff, maintaining an office, communication with constituents, and the personal costs incurred by working both in London and in their constituencies. Expenses claimed by MPs do not augment their salaries.

St Gemma's Hospice in Moortown provides care, support and nursing for patients who are terminally ill. It relies entirely on charitable donations.

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