Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly are set for a pay increase under draft proposals from the Independent Remuneration Board. The basic annual salary would rise by £2,016, from £67,200 to £69,216, effective from the first sitting day of the new Assembly following next year's election.

After that initial increase, annual adjustments would be linked to growth in median weekly earnings for full-time employees in Northern Ireland, as published by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency. Any annual increase would be capped at 3%, with the first earnings-linked review scheduled for 1 April 2028.

Alan Lowry, chairperson of the board, said the current pay determination had been a corrective measure after years without substantial rises. The new mechanism would provide a structured and transparent way to adjust salaries in line with wider earnings trends, while recognising the responsibilities of MLAs and ensuring financial considerations do not deter people from seeking office.

The draft also details additional payments for office-holders, which would be shown separately from the basic salary and remain fixed throughout the 2027-32 mandate. The First Minister and deputy First Minister would each receive an additional £72,000, bringing their total to £141,216. Other ministers and the Speaker would receive £38,000 extra, for a total of £107,216. Junior ministers, deputy speakers, and chairs of specified committees would get £12,000, Assembly Commission members £9,000, and chairs of standing committees £6,000. If someone holds more than one qualifying office, they receive only the highest additional payment.

The proposals include financial sanctions if an Executive is not formed after an election or if the offices of First Minister and deputy First Minister become vacant. In such cases, MLA salaries would be reduced in stages after six, 12, and 18 weeks from the Assembly's first meeting, falling to £62,294, then £56,065, and finally £50,459 at the proposed starting rates.

The board is consulting on the proposals for four weeks, from 17 September to 15 October 2026. It is seeking views from MLAs, the Assembly Commission, and Assembly Members' Pension Trustees, as well as members of the public. After considering responses, the board will present a final determination to the Assembly Commission for publication and implementation.

The Independent Remuneration Board was established under legislation passed last year, replacing the Independent Financial Review Panel, which had been inactive since 2016. The board has the sole remit of setting MLAs' pay and pension entitlements. A separate determination on pensions will follow later, while allowances are set by the Assembly Commission.