GWENT MPs slammed a proposed 11 per cent rise as “shambolic” and have accused the body who proposed it of “living on another planet.”

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) recommended the pay rise, which amounts to some £6,000, for all MPs from 2015.

The rise would see our representatives earning around £74,000 a year, close to treble the annual UK average wage.

The rise though would see parliamentarians receive a less generous pension and would be coupled with a further clampdown on expenses.

IPSA was set up in 2009 as a response to the expenses scandal.

But Gwent’s representatives were unanimous in their condemnation of the rise.

Monmouth’s Conservative MP, David Davies, blasted the move as “shambolic.”

He said: “Four years ago we felt a lot of public anger. We were responsible for deciding how much we got paid. We set up an independent body IPSA and we made it legally impossible to influence them in any way. This is their own doing.”

Labour MP for Torfaen, Paul Murphy said: “IPSA seem to live on another planet. At a time when people are struggling to get by, I’d rather concentrate on the issues that matter to my constituents than talk about MPs’ pay.”

“I think these proposals are poorly thought out and badly timed,” Jessica Morden, Newport East MP said, “I hope that people’s voice will be heard by the independent body during their consultation and that they will listen and reconsider their position.”

Caerphilly MP Wayne David said he would give the money to charity should he receive it.

“It is quite wrong that the standards authority is saying there should be such a huge increase in MPs’ pay, especially at the time when most people are seeing a sharp reduction in their standard of living. Frankly, if any MPs want to earn such a large salary, then they should think seriously whether they should be MPs.”

Blaenau Gwent’s MP Nick Smith added: “IPSA has handled this really badly. MPs pay must reflect what’s happening to everybody else at this time and the public must have their say,” he said.

Newport West MP Paul Flynn and Chris Evans MP for Islwyn were unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.