Independent body makes final determination on MLA pay

12 March 2026

The Independent Remuneration Board (the Board), which is responsible for setting the salaries and pensions of Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), has made its determination on MLA pay for the current mandate.

Following a two-week consultation carried out with MLAs, the Assembly Commission and the Assembly Members’ Pension Trustees, the Board has confirmed the provisions in its draft determination issued on 19 February 2026.

From 1 April 2026, the salary for MLAs will rise from £53,000 to £67,200 per year (an increase of 26.8%). Alongside the revised salary, the Board has also confirmed the introduction of new financial sanctions which will apply if an Executive is not formed after the next Assembly election, or if at any point the offices of First Minister and deputy First Minister become vacant. Under these provisions, if an Executive is not formed following the next and subsequent elections - or if at any time the offices of First Minister and deputy First Minister become vacant - MLA salaries would be reduced by 10% after week six, a further 10% after week 12, and another 10% after week 18, should government formation not occur within the six-month statutory period.

Alan Lowry, Chairperson of the Board, said:

“Under our legislative framework and in carrying out our responsibilities,  the Board is required to balance a number of issues - the importance and complexity of an MLA’s role, the financial viability of a political career and the levels of pay for political representatives in peer parliaments. We also have to reflect on achieving value for money and the broader economic conditions of Northern Ireland. After full consideration of the responses received, the Board is confident that the evidence underpinning its draft determination remains sound.

“We also reflected on correspondence from the public which was overwhelmingly critical of the draft determination. It is clear that the public have been frustrated by the ‘stop-start’ nature of government that has impacted the political institutions in recent years. That is why we are also confirming our proposals in imposing financial sanctions if the institutions should cease to function in their normal way.

“Much of the commentary around our draft determination has been critical, saying that this is not the right time to be tackling this issue. It is clear that the system for considering MLA pay has not been working properly for 10 years, and any delay would only further exacerbate the situation.

“Having taking this corrective measure, we can now move forward to a situation where any changes to MLA pay levels are likely to be more in line with normal inflationary trends.” 

 

ENDS

 

For further information please contact Felicity Templeton, Assembly communications office:  felicity.templeton@niassembly.gov.uk  / 07977 635930

 

Notes to editors:

You can read the Board’s final determination  here  and find further information on the work of the Board  here  .

The determination can gradually reduce salaries of members / office holders by 10% after week 6, week 12 and week 18.  Note: the reduction is on the immediately preceding sum (so the reduction in the second period is a reduction of 10% on the salary in the first period, not a further 10% on the starting (initial period) salary i.e. initial period: £67,200; first period: £60,480; second period: £54,432; third period: £48,988.90

The Board will make a total of three determinations in the 2026 calendar year. The other two - on MLA salaries in respect of the 2027-32 mandate and separately on MLA pensions - will be made in the latter half of this year.

The Board does not make determinations in respect of MLA allowances.  In 2020, the Assembly conferred powers on the Assembly Commission to determine allowances payable to Members. See the 2025 Determination by the Assembly Commission  here .

The Board considered annual earnings in Northern Ireland as detailed in the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) survey - considered the most comprehensive source of information on the structure and distribution of earnings in the UK. You can read the Office for National Statistics’ (ONS) ASHE survey  here .

 

The Independent Remuneration Board

  • The new Board replaces the Independent Financial Review Panel and its responsibility is more limited i.e. to make determinations on MLA pay and pensions.
  • The Board is required to make a determination in respect of the current Assembly (2022-27).
  • The Board will make its determinations on salaries and pensions only once in respect of each Assembly. However the 2011 Act does make provision for exceptional circumstances.
  • The role of the Board is to make determinations in relation to all aspects of salaries and pensions for MLAs as well as the remuneration of officeholders including the Speaker, Deputy Speakers, Assembly Commission Members and Committee Chairpersons - as well as the remuneration of members of the Northern Ireland Executive (the First Minister, deputy First Minister, Ministers) and Junior Ministers.
  • The Board is made up of a Chairperson and two other members who are each appointed for a five-year term. Read more about the Board  here .
  • On 16 September 2025 the Assembly Members (Independent Remuneration Board) Act (Northern Ireland) 2025 received Royal Assent, making provision for the establishment of an Independent Remuneration Board. Details can be found on  here .   Please note  that it modified provisions of the Assembly Members (Independent Financial Review and Standards) Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.