An independent body has signed off on a 26.8% pay rise for MLAs from next year – and, for the first time, built in automatic salary cuts if Stormont collapses or fails to form a government after the next election.
The Independent Remuneration Board, which sets Assembly members’ salaries and pensions, has confirmed its final determination on pay for the current mandate following a two‑week consultation with MLAs, the Assembly Commission and the Assembly Members’ Pension Trustees.
From 1 April 2026, basic MLA pay will increase from £53,000 to £67,200 a year.
However, new “financial sanctions” will kick in if there is a repeat of the Stormont stalemates that have dogged politics in recent years.
Under the new rules:
If an Executive is not formed after the next – or any future – Assembly election, or; If at any time the offices of First Minister and deputy First Minister become vacant then MLAs’ salaries will be cut – by 10% after six weeks; by a further 10% after 12 weeks; by another 10% after 18 weeks – if government has still not been formed within the statutory six‑month period.
That means that, in the event of prolonged deadlock, the new £67,200 salary could be reduced in stages by up to 30%.
Board Chairperson Alan Lowry said the panel is required by law to weigh up several factors in setting pay, including the complexity of an MLA’s role, the need to make a political career financially viable, comparable pay in other parliaments, value for money, and wider economic conditions.
“After full consideration of the responses received, the Board is confident that the evidence underpinning its draft determination remains sound,” he said.
Mr Lowry acknowledged that public feedback had been “overwhelmingly critical” of the planned rise.
“It is clear that the public have been frustrated by the ‘stop-start’ nature of government that has impacted the political institutions in recent years,” he said.
“That is why we are also confirming our proposals in imposing financial sanctions if the institutions should cease to function in their normal way.”
He rejected calls to delay the decision, saying the mechanism for reviewing MLA pay has been broken for a decade.
“Much of the commentary around our draft determination has been critical, saying that this is not the right time to be tackling this issue,” he continued.
“It is clear that the system for considering MLA pay has not been working properly for 10 years, and any delay would only further exacerbate the situation.
“Having taken this corrective measure, we can now move forward to a situation where any changes to MLA pay levels are likely to be more in line with normal inflationary trends.”
