MP Salary UK: How Much Do MPs Earn and How Does It Compare?

Understanding the MP Salary UK

If you’ve ever wondered what MPs earn and how their pay compares to typical UK salaries, you’re not alone. The topic of mp salary uk often sparks debate, especially when set against the earnings of nurses, teachers, or the average worker. This guide breaks down the latest figures, how they’re decided, and what they mean for you.

What Is the Current MP Salary?

The basic annual salary for a UK Member of Parliament is set by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA). From April 2026, the salary is £98,599. This follows a 5% increase from the previous year’s £93,904. IPSA decided on a 1.5% benchmarking adjustment and a 3.5% cost-of-living increase, aiming to move towards a target of around £110,000 by the end of the current Parliament (IPSA).

For context, here are recent MP salaries:

• April 2026: £98,599
• April 2025: £93,904
• April 2024: £91,346
• April 2023: £86,584

These figures are for the basic salary only. MPs with additional responsibilities – such as the Speaker, Committee Chairs, or Government ministers – receive extra pay on top. That extra pay is administered separately by other bodies.

How Does MP Pay Compare to Average UK Earnings?

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), median gross annual earnings for full-time employees in the UK were £39,039 in April 2025. That means an MP earns roughly 2.5 times the median full-time salary. Even when compared to higher-paid professions, MP pay sits in a notable bracket. IPSA itself compares the role to senior managers in the Civil Service (average £88,049) and NHS consultants (starting salary £106,242) (BBC News).

It’s important to remember that MPs also receive expenses to cover the costs of running an office, employing staff, having somewhere to live in London or their constituency, and travel. These expenses are separate from salary and are strictly regulated by IPSA.

How Is the MP Salary Decided?

IPSA was created in 2009 by the Parliamentary Standards Act to take the politics out of MPs’ pay. It operates independently of Parliament and the Government. The law requires IPSA to review the salary early in each parliamentary term. When making its decision, IPSA considers:

• Economic forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility and Bank of England
• Inflation measures and forecasts
• Official earnings data and labour market trends
• Public sector pay awards and recommendations from pay review bodies
• Salaries of parliamentarians in other similar democracies
• Salaries of other professionals with positions of responsibility

This process aims to set a salary that is fair to both MPs and taxpayers. The current determination covers the 2026-27 salary and outlines how future adjustments will be made.

What This Means for UK Workers

Understanding mp salary uk is useful for anyone comparing their own earnings or considering the value of public service roles. While MP pay is significantly above the national average, it reflects the responsibility and demands of the job. For workers, the key takeaway is that pay setting for MPs follows a structured, evidence-based process – unlike many private sector roles where salaries are negotiated individually.

If you’re interested in how your own pay stacks up, check out our pay guides for detailed breakdowns of salaries across different sectors. You can also explore pay data for historical trends and comparisons.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the MP salary in the UK decided? MPs' pay is set by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA), an independent body created in 2009. IPSA reviews the salary early in each parliamentary term, considering economic forecasts, earnings data, public sector pay policy, and comparisons with similar roles. The current determination covers the 2026-27 salary of £98,599.

What is the current MP salary in the UK? From April 2026, the basic annual salary for a Member of Parliament is £98,599. This includes a cost-of-living increase and a benchmarking adjustment. Previous salaries were £93,904 (2025-26) and £91,346 (2024-25).

How does the MP salary compare to average UK earnings? The median full-time annual salary in the UK was £39,039 in April 2025 (ONS). An MP's basic salary of £98,599 is more than double that. IPSA also compares MP pay to senior civil servants (average £88,049) and NHS consultants (starting £106,242). However, MPs do not receive automatic annual increases and their pay is subject to independent review.