http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6205852.stm
Anger at MPs' '66% pay rise call'
Some MPs are said to be calling for a 66% pay rise
MPs have been criticised after reports some are calling for a 66% pay rise, taking salaries to £100,000 a year.
MPs are reported to have written to the Senior Salaries Review Board saying the rise is needed to bring them into line with senior civil servants and GPs.
GMB union chief Paul Kenny condemned the news at a time when low-paid public workers' pay rises are capped at 3%.
In August Tony Blair said politicians' salaries should no longer be linked to senior civil servants' pay packets.
The Sunday Times reported that some Labour and Conservative MPs had written to the Senior Salaries Review Board calling for the increase to their £60,277 annual salary.
'Pay them more'
Former Conservative MP Michael Portillo told the BBC MPs who could earn more than the £60,000 salary privately, would go out and do so.
"And then people get upset that they are doing more than one job - then that's going to be a problem," he said.
"If you want MPs to live on their MPs' salary you are probably going to have to pay them more."
Is it any wonder that people are cynical about politicians?
Paul Kenny
GMB general secretary
Send us your comments
Liberal Democrat MP Nick Harvey said such a large increase was not justified, but denied that the long summer recess meant MPs did not work hard.
"None of them, I reckon, would be working less than about a 70 hour week - even the ones I haven't the highest admiration for."
MPs' pay has been linked to the salaries of senior civil servants since 1996, as well as being reviewed every three years.
COMMONS SALARIES
MP - £60,277
Minister of state - £99,908
Opposition leader - £130, 312
Cabinet minister - £136, 677
Prime minister - £187, 611
But in August Mr Blair called for that to be changed, as higher pay offers were now being used to recruit senior civil servants.
GMB general secretary Paul Kenny condemned the MPs' claim saying: "These are the same people who protected their own pension scheme but cut the pensions of the lowest-paid public sector workers."
He added: "Is it any wonder that people are cynical about politicians? They are out to lunch and they want someone else to pay."
Blair Gibbs, of the Taxpayers' Alliance agreed, saying it showed MPs were out of touch.
"At a time of disillusionment with mainstream politicians I don't think this is the answer. I don't think we want 659 people in Parliament, on those green benches, just there because it pays well."
In October it was revealed that average expenses and allowances claims had hit £86.8m, or an average of £131,000 per MP.
Anger at MPs' '66% pay rise call'
Some MPs are said to be calling for a 66% pay rise
MPs have been criticised after reports some are calling for a 66% pay rise, taking salaries to £100,000 a year.
MPs are reported to have written to the Senior Salaries Review Board saying the rise is needed to bring them into line with senior civil servants and GPs.
GMB union chief Paul Kenny condemned the news at a time when low-paid public workers' pay rises are capped at 3%.
In August Tony Blair said politicians' salaries should no longer be linked to senior civil servants' pay packets.
The Sunday Times reported that some Labour and Conservative MPs had written to the Senior Salaries Review Board calling for the increase to their £60,277 annual salary.
'Pay them more'
Former Conservative MP Michael Portillo told the BBC MPs who could earn more than the £60,000 salary privately, would go out and do so.
"And then people get upset that they are doing more than one job - then that's going to be a problem," he said.
"If you want MPs to live on their MPs' salary you are probably going to have to pay them more."
Is it any wonder that people are cynical about politicians?
Paul Kenny
GMB general secretary
Send us your comments
Liberal Democrat MP Nick Harvey said such a large increase was not justified, but denied that the long summer recess meant MPs did not work hard.
"None of them, I reckon, would be working less than about a 70 hour week - even the ones I haven't the highest admiration for."
MPs' pay has been linked to the salaries of senior civil servants since 1996, as well as being reviewed every three years.
COMMONS SALARIES
MP - £60,277
Minister of state - £99,908
Opposition leader - £130, 312
Cabinet minister - £136, 677
Prime minister - £187, 611
But in August Mr Blair called for that to be changed, as higher pay offers were now being used to recruit senior civil servants.
GMB general secretary Paul Kenny condemned the MPs' claim saying: "These are the same people who protected their own pension scheme but cut the pensions of the lowest-paid public sector workers."
He added: "Is it any wonder that people are cynical about politicians? They are out to lunch and they want someone else to pay."
Blair Gibbs, of the Taxpayers' Alliance agreed, saying it showed MPs were out of touch.
"At a time of disillusionment with mainstream politicians I don't think this is the answer. I don't think we want 659 people in Parliament, on those green benches, just there because it pays well."
In October it was revealed that average expenses and allowances claims had hit £86.8m, or an average of £131,000 per MP.
) and dont get an inflation-proofed pension 
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