Video: Edwina Currie: 'never a good time to put up MPs' salaries' MPs are facing an outcry after it was announced they are in line for a pay hike to £74,000 while the rest of the country suffers austerity. Ipsa's report concedes there is no "compelling evidence" that MPs' current salary level is deterring candidates, making people leave parliament, affecting the diversity of the House, or lowering the standard of ministers. Pay was also "unlikely to be a factor" for MPs who were committed to public service. Former Conservative MP Edwina Currie said that if MPs are not paid properly "you will end up with a parliament full of rich geezers or you will have a parliament on the Labour side that are completely dependent on the trade unions. If you don't want that then it is worth considering what is the right level to pay them. Source: ITN and PA