MLAs’ huge expenses facing a cut
By David Gordon
14 June 2006
Stormont Assembly members may soon be facing a travel expenses cut - thanks to a Belfast Telegraph campaign.
This newspaper revealed earlier this year that MLAs are being paid more per mile than other politicians across the UK.
But Secretary of State Peter Hain has now told the Commons that the situation is under review.
MLAs currently receive 56.1p per mile for their first 20,000 miles, and 25.9p for each mile after that.
MPs, by contrast, are paid the standard Inland Revenue rate of 40p per mile for up to 10,000 miles and 25p per mile after the 10,000 mark is passed.
This newspaper has been running a ‘Fair Dues’ campaign to promote greater transparency over Assembly expenses.
Mr Hain disclosed his intentions in reply to a written parliamentary question from DUP MP Gregory Campbell.
Mr Campbell asked the Secretary of State “whether he intends to bring the mileage allowance paid to members of the Northern Ireland Assembly into line with that paid to honourable Members of this House”.
In reply to the question, Mr Hain told the House: “This matter is currently under consideration and I hope to make an announcement shortly.
“I will write to the honourable Member informing him of the outcome and will arrange for a copy of my letter to be placed in the Library of the House and sent to the Speaker of the Assembly.”
The Ulster Secretary has previously stated that MLAs should address the mileage expense disparity.
He told DUP MP David Simpson last month: “The Assembly is perfectly free to set up a working group to resolve the issue and to make recommendations to me, and I hope that it does so.”
Mr Hain also stated on that occasion that “many people in Northern Ireland” are “asking a question” about the Stormont mileage rate.
As part of its ‘Fair Dues’ campaign, the Belfast Telegraph has written to the main party leaders at Stormont.
The UUP Assembly Party responded by voting for Assembly mileage payments to be brought into line with the rest of the UK.
