STAFF working for Assembly Members are paid so badly that some are entitled to claim Government benefits, the Western Mail can reveal.
And while AMs have awarded themselves inflation-busting pay rises, with most of them able to claim £13,000 for a second home in Cardiff, their office workers don’t even have a union agreement that allows for collective bargaining.
A whistle-blower, lifting the lid on low pay at the Senedd, told the Western Mail: “In the current economic climate, it is very difficult for a lot of AMs’ research staff to make ends meet.
Tut, tut.
9 comments:
How much was Portcullis House again and in particular the pure crystal reception desk it had?
I've no idea...and its irrelevant unless the staff at Westminster have also been complaining about pay and conditions?
Seeing as how research staff pay comes from a totally different pot to personal expenses I can't really spot the link - apart from the Western Mail trying to make a scandal again of course ;-)
hf
The link is that research staff are(understandably IMO) peed off that they are receiving such low wages whilst their Lord and Masters are rolling in the expenses. Whether it comes from the same pot are not is irrelevant; btw, as a matter of interest who has the final vote on such matters?
I'm not 100% but I don't think there's a set amount. Every AM has so and so (not sure exact figure, but over £55k) in their office expenses to pay for staff - Most AM's have 2 staff (so it's hardly slave labour!).
Although the amount in ther pot is voted on by AM's (just like their own salaries) they are proposed by an independent body and the Assembly just signs off on what they propose. (With one expetion where this year many AM's refused to take their pay increase)
According to the original article:
Pay rates for AMs’ researchers are set by the Assembly Commission annually.
The lowest paid office staff get £15,747 a year on a salary band rising to £21,414 over four years. Office managers start on £20,512 up to a maximum of £29,162, again after four years. An intermediate band – band 2 – pays £17,444 rising to £25,810.
Employees who work 30 hours a week or more and earn less than £17,400 a year are eligible to claim working tax credit – designed to help the lowest paid – if they are supporting a partner. Since last year AMs have been able to employ three full-time workers, with no more than one in the top band and one in band 2. Salaries go up annually in line with the UK Government’s average earnings index.
Thanks O'Neill. The Assembly Commission is headed by the Presiding Officer and 4 AM's (one from each party) - they are supported by a whole host of civil servants in 4 different directorates.
The average wage in Wales is about £20k so those figures seem on par don't they?
I guess it was the contrast with the AMs' expenses that grated most.
I'd love it if I was paid as much as my boss too! Will the Mule do a story about me? ;-)
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