Wimbledon MP, Stephen Hammond, defends comments over suggested £40,000 pay rise

Mr Hammond made the comments in response to a consultation by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) which asked for MPs views on their salaries.

He argued MPs salaries should be "linked to a comparable public sector equivalent", taking the example of a GP or civil servant.

A GPs average salary is £105,000 sparking criticism that Mr Hammond was calling for a pay rise of £40,000.

Mr Hammond, who was first elected in 2005, currently receives a salary of £89,435 made up of an MPs basic salary of £65,738 and a ministerial allowance as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport.

Defending his comments on Monday, Mr Hammond said: "I have always believed MPs should not decide their own salary.

"What I actually said was an MP salary should be linked to a public sector job of similar responsibility such as a GP.

"Official figures I have been shown put the average salary for a GP at over £105,000."

Speaking on his behalf, Mr Hammond’s Parliamentary Secretary added: "[Mr Hammond] knows the feeling of the public at the moment and that everyone is hurting.

"He’s not saying ‘I deserve a 40 per cent increase’, he was just responding to a consultation on pay.

"MPs haven’t had a salary rise for five years now.

"He has taken a five percent ministerial pay cut in line with the Prime ministers wishes.

"He thinks there should be an open discussion about MPs salaries."

According to Mr Hammond's register of members' interests, he also earned an extra £44,000 from jobs outside Parliament last year:

1. Remunerated directorships

Until 30 November 2012, Chairman of Democracy Forum Ltd, 34 South Molton Street, London W1K 5RG; a not-for-profit organisation promoting peace and democracy. Remuneration: £12,000 per annum. Now an unremunerated patron.

Payment of £1,000 for April 2012. Hours: 7.5 hrs. (Registered 20 June 2012)
Payment of £1,000 for May 2012. Hours: 7.5 hrs. (Registered 20 June 2012)
Payment of £1,000 for June 2012. Hours: 7.5 hrs. (Registered 20 June 2012)
Payment of £1,000 for July 2012. Hours: 7.5 hrs. (Registered 24 October 2012)
Payment of £1,000 for August 2012. Hours: 7.5 hrs. (Registered 24 October 2012)
Payment of £1,000 for September 2012. Hours: 7.5 hrs. (Registered 24 October 2012)
Payment of £1,000 for October 2012. Hours: 7.5 hrs. (Registered 3 December 2012)
Payment of £1,000 for November 2012. Hours: 7.5 hrs. (Registered 3 December 2012)

2. Remunerated employment, office, profession etc

Re-appointed from 1 July 2010 as Parliamentary Consultant to Professional Contractors Group Ltd . Address: Heathrow Boulevard, 280 Bath Road, Sipson, West Drayton, Middlesex UB7 0DQ (£15,001-£20,000). I resigned with immediate effect on 4 September 2012.
Payment of £4,500 for period January-March 2012. Hours: 10-12 hours per month. (Registered 20 June 2012)
Payment of £4,500 for period April-June 2012. Hours: 10-12 hours per month. (Registered 6 November 2012)
One payment of £3,000 for period July and August 2012. Hours: 15 hrs. (Registered 24 October 2012)

Parliamentary consultant to Confederation of Passenger Transport UK, Drury House 34-43 Russell Street London WC2B 5HA (£25,000-£30,000). I resigned with immediate effect on 4 September 2012.
January 2012, payment of £2,500. Hours: 10-12 hrs. (Registered 20 June 2012)
February 2012, payment of £2,500. Hours: 10-12 hrs. (Registered 20 June 2012)
March 2012, payment of £2,500. Hours: 10-12 hrs. (Registered 20 June 2012)
April 2012, payment of £2,500. Hours: 10-12 hrs. (Registered 20 June 2012)
May 2012, payment of £2,500. Hours: 10-12 hrs. (Registered 20 June 2012)
June 2012, payment of £2,500. Hours: 10-12 hrs. (Registered 20 June 2012)
July 2012, payment of £2,500. Hours: 10-12 hrs. (Registered 24 October 2012)
August 2012, payment of £2,500. Hours: 10-12 hrs. (Registered 24 October 2012)

How much do you think MPs should be paid? Is £65,000 too high, too low, or about right? Leave a comment below or email: lmay@london.newsquest.co.uk.