Members of the Northern Ireland Legislative Assembly will receive a salary increase of £14,200 on April 1. Their pay will rise from £53,000 to £67,200, a 27% adjustment.

The Independent Remuneration Board approved the change. The board sets MLA salaries and pensions. It consulted MLAs, the Assembly Commission, and Assembly Members’ Pension Trustees.

Newspapers contacted North Down MLAs Stephen Dunne and Peter Martin of the DUP, UUP MLA Alan Chambers, and Alliance MLAs Andrew Muir and Connie Egan. Newspapers also contacted Strangford MLAs Michelle McIlveen and Harry Harvey of the DUP, UUP MLA Mike Nesbitt, and Alliance MLAs Kellie Armstrong and Nick Mathison.

No MLA provided a personal response. Parties issued statements.

The DUP stated the process must be independent with no MLA involvement. It said DUP MLAs serve constituents and did not enter public service for financial gain.

Alliance said any increase should match public sector pay uplifts and consider public finances. It called for stopping pay of parties that block Assembly operations.

The UUP said it understands public concerns over the figure amid household cost pressures. It stressed focus on improving institutions and services.

Bangor Independent Unionist councillor Wesley Irvine called on MLAs to reject the rise.