PFNI says proposed 27% MLA salary hike cannot be justified

The Chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland says a proposed 27% salary increase for MLAs is unjustified and ‘a slap in the face’ for struggling public sector workers.

PFNI Chair Liam Kelly says the recommendation to boost MLA salaries by more than £14,000 is ‘a staggering own goal’ and amounts to a disgraceful reward for doing very little as legislators.

Mr Kelly said: “We, and other public sector workers, struggle to get minimum, single digit pay awards across the line but it's clearly one rule for MLAs and another for police officers and others. 

“This is unjustified and a slap in the face for the people who make up the public sector.

“This is an independent recommendation on MLA pay but if the elected representatives have anything in them, they'll forego the 27% hike to show the rest of us that they’re in the real world and aware of the daily struggles experienced by workers.

“There's now a public consultation underway and we’ll be delivering a clear message to MLAs: get real and show some empathy with others who are treated poorly when it comes to decent and not unreasonable annual pay rewards.”