MLA salaries are lower than those received by Members of the Scottish Parliament (£74,507), Assembly Members at the Welsh Assembly (£76,380), MPs (£93,904) and Members of the Irish Parliament (117,113 euros/£102,369). “It is not appropriate, or fair, to expect MLAs to set their own salaries and the board operates completely independently of the Assembly and the Assembly Commission. In the same period, MLA pay increased significantly less, by 8%,” he said. “With the previous Independent Financial Review Panel last making a determination in 2016, it is clear the system of MLA pay has not been functioning normally for a decade. Federation chairman Liam Kelly said it is unjustified, particularly coming after long arguments over pay increases for public sector workers.

Source: The Herald February 19, 2026 12:17 UTC