Keir Starmer attacks MPs’ inflation-busting pay rise, calling for money to go to key workers
‘That money, if it’s available, should be spent on key workers – those who have been on the frontline through this pandemic’
Keir Starmer has attacked the inflation-busting pay rise being handed to MPs, calling for the cash to go to key workers instead.
An independent watchdog has authorised a 4.1 per cent increase – taking Commons’ salaries to about £85,000 – but the Labour leader said the decision was wrong.
“This year of all years we shouldn’t have it,” Sir Keir said, adding: “That money, if it’s available, should be spent on key workers – those who have been on the frontline through this pandemic.”
Speaking on LBC Radio, he confirmed Labour would not vote against the 10pm pubs’ curfew – warning there would be nothing in its place if the measure was defeated.
And he ducked a call to endorse Joe Biden, saying no would-be prime minister should back any candidate in a foreign election, while make clear his horror at Donald Trump’s behaviour.
Pointing out 200,000 Americans have been killed by coronavirus, he said: “I don’t know what on earth they must think about what he has been saying recently.”
