TGWU Comment on Pay scales Apr02

MPs’ staffing allowance was increased by 3.7%, based on the December 02 Average Earnings Index.

There was no additional allowance for the 1% increase in employers’ National Insurance, so if your MP uses the staffing allowance to the full, the maximum increase that can be passed to staff is 2.7%. This was the figure recommended by the Director of Operations of the Finance Office, Archie Cameron, in his letter to MPs of 8th May (Ref: FO 03/2003).

Unless the formula is changed, staff will never be able to be paid the full Average Earnings increase as there will always be an increase in employers’ National Insurance to pay from the allowance.

A little. Before July 2001 and the ring-fencing of the staffing allowance, annual increases were based on the Retail Price Index for March (indeed, this is still the formula for the Incidental Expenses Provision). This would have given us an increase of 3.1%, of which just 2.1% could be passed on.

As soon as the announcement was made we approached Archie Cameron to obtain exact details on how the increases were calculated and were told there were no plans to change this formula. We have now requested a meeting with Anne Campbell, Chair of the Speaker’s Panel, the body that advises on the formula for staffing allowances.

We will raise the need for staff to be able to receive the full Average Earnings increase, and wider issues of the inadequacies of the allowance including lack of incremental points and automatic increases, based on the recent staff survey we carried out. We will also argue that the Average Earnings Index used should be for the public sector (4.6% in December 02) rather than the whole economy (3.7%).

Don’t forget for general information on working for an MP, have a look at the W4MP website. The T&G page is under ‘Representation’.

2. The following statement about the new pay scales (effective 1 April 2002) was issued by the Parliamentary Branch of the TGWU on 12 April 2002.

"The TGWU believes that pay rises in line with the earnings-related increase in the Parliamentary Allowance Allocation for Staffing should be automatic. In addition the TGWU branch will be arguing for a point scale within the banding in the recommended pay scales, without which they are pretty meaningless apart from providing a minimum wage."

"A pay review between the MP and member of staff should happen annually as outlined in the staff contract issued by the Fees Office, and this should look at issues such as an incremental rise to cover long-service, loyalty, accrued experience etc. If the MP does not carry this out, he or she is in breach of contract. TGWU is aware of a number of MPs who are acting illegally in not providing contracts for staff within two motnhs of employment, and will be taking action on this. Branch Secretary Kevin Flack will be arguing for a 'naming and shaming' of MPs who break the laws they have set themselves on this issue."

Staff who are concerned about this issue may contact Kevin at flackk@parliament.uk

Transport & General Workers' Union

1. Progress Report - June 2003 - from branch meeting notes

2. The following statement about the new pay scales (effective 1 April 2002) was issued by the Parliamentary Branch of the TGWU on 12 April 2002.