Board Recommends 18.8% Pay Increase For MPs
[Updated] The Legislature Salaries Review Board recommended that MPs and Senators be granted an 18.8% increase and MPs be granted an additional $7,000 per year, so the recommendation is that an MP’s basic salary “would increase from $56,023 to $73,555 and Senators basic salary would increase from $30,367 to $36,076.”
Report
The report — which was posted on the official Parliamentary website — said, “Since their last salary increase in 2009, the cost of living and the scope of their responsibilities have significantly expanded.
“Recognizing their critical contributions and the long-standing gap in their remuneration, it is both fair and necessary to adjust their salaries to reflect their hard work, ensuring they are adequately compensated for their invaluable service to Bermuda.
“The Ministers and Members of the Legislature should be acknowledged for the shared sacrifice of 2011 when they agreed to an across-the-board salary cut of 10% from Ministers’ annual salary. That cut should be restored by the House of Assembly as it was this body that authorised the cut at the time.
“The Board recommends that Members of Parliament and Senators be granted an 18.8% increase owing to the changes in the cost of living up to 2024.
“Members of Parliament be granted an additional $7,000 per year as an additional incentive to motivate those members of the community that may be interested in serving as a MP and to encourage current MPs to continue to serve.
“A Member of Parliament basic salary would increase from $56,023 to $73,555 and Senators basic salary would increase from $30,367 to $36,076.
Chart extracted from the report showing the current and proposed salaries they recommend
“The Board recommends that the 2011 voluntary cut of 10% to Minister’s salary be reversed and restored by Parliament as a means of improving the attractiveness of the job. This will mitigate, in part the challenge of motivating residents to step up into this realm of public service.
“It is recommended that these revised salary levels be effective April 1, 2025.”
Board Members
The members of the Ministers and Members of the Legislature Salaries Review Board are Maxwell Burgess, Carl Neblett, Cole Simons, Edward Ball Jnr, Jocene Wade, Steven Holdipp, and Donnie Francis.
Recommendation, Not Policy
At this stage, the report is a recommendation and is not a set policy. On the weekend, Bernews reached out to the government, the PLP and the OBA seeking comment whether they support the recommendations, and we will update as able if we receive any responses.
Update: Bernews has not received an official response from anyone, however the Premier has responded to someone via social media. He noted that the “report is just a recommendation” and also said it “recommended a significant increase for the Premier which I do not support.”
In a post on X, the Premier said:
- “1) The law provides for a committee to review salaries of Ministers and MPs.
- 2) The last time pay for MPs were adjusted was in 2008.
- 3) All Ministers are paid less in 2024, than they were in 2008.
“The topline figure can sound excessive, but it must be viewed in the context that salaries have not been adjusted in 16 years.
“Further, the report is just a recommendation. For instance, it recommended a significant increase for the Premier which I do not support, and have expressed such to the committee.”
Update: Premier David Burt said, “The Ministers and Members of the Legislature Salaries Review Board Final Report August 2024 was generated by an independent body, comprised of representatives appointed following consultations with the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House, and the Leader of the Opposition.
“It is important to underscore that once appointed, this board operates autonomously and reaches its conclusions without any direction from the Government. This is appropriate and ensures that sitting MPs are not involved in shaping the recommendations.
“The law requires this Committee to be formed to report its recommendations to the House, as it has done. While I find some aspects of the Report to be deeply flawed, we have an obligation to review and consider their recommendations as guided by law.
“Among my initial concerns are the recommended increases disproportionately favour the Premier and the Speaker of the House. I can state unequivocally that I do not support the recommended increase in the salary of the Premier, and I believe that any cost of living adjustment should be across the board for all officers and members.
“While Bermuda’s economy is showing remarkable signs of improvement, the government’s priority remains improving the lives of Bermudians who have not yet fully benefited from this economic growth. To alleviate the cost of living situation overall, this Government has increased senior pensions, reduced taxes for 86% of Bermudians, frozen the price of fuel, cut energy taxes by 60%, built nearly 100 affordable homes and increased the daycare allowance.
“As government finances improve, we have invested $25 million in our youth, our families, our seniors, our community, and our infrastructure.”
Update: In a response issued on Thursday, the PLP said, “We fully understand the concerns raised by members of the public and appreciate the heartfelt reactions to this issue. Many Bermudians are facing significant challenges due to the high cost of living, and we hear your frustrations.
“The document tabled in Parliament was produced by an independent committee and neither the Government, nor Parliament are under any obligation to enact these proposals, many of which we oppose.
“We want to be clear: no changes have been approved or enacted despite what may have been reported. We will consult with our caucus and our constituents taking the necessary time to ensure that any decisions we make reflect both careful consideration and the values we stand for.”
The full report follows below [PDF here]:
WOW! they get a pay rise for bringing Bermuda to it’s knees.
MPS get a raise but government workers can’t get a raise
pay them only when they show up
pay only when in the house
Anybody can “show up” Sir. I think we need to raise the bar a little higher…
been squashed immediately. With an increase like that backed by erroneous comments in the report it is The Biggest rip of ever. Unbelieveable. Making it a job for the jobless. If Jinks was in line he would say: Those Mps are fools so what can I do but take whst they offer. Show up say hello and live well.” Let’s see what they are made of. Shame. Shame if they pass it. Next thing you know Joe Bloggs will even run
“Next thing you know Joe Bloggs will even run”
No thank you. Even the Premier’s proposed salary of $253,254 is not enough compensation for that amount of B.S.
Oh, but the perks, free travel, “gifts,” etc., all make it worth causing financial distress for your fellow Bermudians.
They are already under performing and overpaid and they are considering an 19% increase this is simply unacceptable. Well no wonder the CS is what it is it starts at the top.If this goes through they must reduce the number of MP’s in half already 70% of them arent doing anything but writing an opinion column every other week.
Hopefully there will be a protest march or a blockade of Parliament if approved
The rewarding of utter failure seems to be endless around here .
You summed it up. Yes you nailed it on the head. The fact that a Committee met showed no commitment from them at all. Another example …talk talk talk but actions speak louder than words.
Right. It is the talk of the town. Shameful. Time for action to vote this senseless hypocritical bunch out.
This is unbelievable! Who is on the Legislative Salaries Review Board? There needs to be a board like this for all government and non-government workers (smile). This type of insane pay increase in these tough times practically guarantees similar pay rises for all government sector and non-government sector workers. If you think prices are high now, watch and see what they will look like after everyone joins this bandwagon.
The names are in the tabled report on the Parliament website.
c. The current Board consists of the following persons;
i. Hon. Mr. Maxwell Burgess, Chairperson, JP
ii. Mr. Carl D. Neblett LSM, QGJM, QDJM
iii. Mr. N. H. Cole Simons, JP
iv. Mr. Edward Ball Jnr., JP, LLB
v. Ms. Jocene Wade, JP, FCIPD, FCMI
vi. Mr. Steven Holdipp
vii. Mr. Donnie Francis, LLB
All Dreamers!
PLP are…. Raid the pot, borrow billions, raid that pot. While we are left begging.
When they get kicked out the House the members who feed off them as consultants,and wanna bees, disappear never to show any commitment any more. No way should they get more. This is the greatest heist based on lies about attracting people to run. How much more deceitful will they get?
Some real fuzzy maths here. 18.8%? Really.
Examples:
Speaker. Current $26,569. Proposed $174,396
Part time Minister. Current $50,421. Proposed $123,976.
Ridiculous numbers for poorly performing people. No experience or competence needed. These sort of packages in the private sector would require years of experience, but not in government. Also remember the impact on the bloated defined benefits pensions, based on final salary. The fund deficit, for which taxpayers yet again have to fill, will be huge.
I agree, this proposal is nonsense. the total package vs what earning now is what should have been disclosed. The percentage increases are well over 100%.
From me, its a NO WAY, you should be arrested for even suggesting. You can have a 2% for the current year and thats it !
Speaker of the House is a part-time job, but the salary proposal is to go from $26,569.00 to $100,841.00. That is a 380% increase in pay for part-time work.
I’m sorry but this is ridiculous. There is a shift happening in the types of people in politics in Bermuda. There are only a few “legacy” politicians left who are beginning to pass the torch to an entire raft of inexperienced younger politicians who are entering the scene. We simply don’t have the caliber of politicians that warrant this type of pay rise. We don’t even have a credible candidate to take over as Premier once Burt decides to go away, whenever that is.
Add to the fact that no one else’s pay has risen, it’s truly an insult. Bermuda has not got better; it has either stayed the same or gotten worse for many people. I could see bringing back the 10% that was taken out in 2011 but not a whopping 19% in addition to that 10%. This is the fleecing of Bermuda’s money. This is greed and shouldn’t be adopted.
Who is on The Legislature Salaries Review Board? Can somebody find out for me. As a taxpayer, I need to speak to you about this.
How exactly did this review board come to the conclusion that MPs can get an 18.8% raise for failure, while the people are struggling to get a cost of living raise. This is why Bermuda has become such a terrible place to live for its own people.
The suggestion of an 18%+ increase for MP salaries is totally unacceptable and is, in fact, an insult to the people of this country for the abysmal state that they have gotten us into.
Interesting—the report does not factor in a FREE car for 13 ministers, a new electric car with all costs funded by taxpayers. What about the Big Guy’s chauffeured BMW? What about all the perks these ministers and the Big Guy get?
Yet the rate of price inflation in Bermuda has consistently been reported this year as being under 2.5% (and yes, I am aware that price inflation and wage inflation do not always march hand-in-hand)
My mistake, it is way over 100% look at the Current vs TOTAL PACKAGE column.
It is disgusting.
Are you suggesting that MPs should not get rich off the backs of those they govern?
There you go! You win the Bermuda Internet today! Congratulations!
Where is it written anywhere that the Government has accepted or agreed to these suggestions?
Exactly. I was looking for this comment. It’s a non-issue unless they implement it. Then we have a problem…
MPs voting against there own salary increase? What world are you living in?
( The Bermudian people do not realize how lucky they are .)
Our Leaderment has, ” led us up the garden path”.
If we do nothing we will get nothing. so true, never the less ,sad to say.
We all have a need to trun our beautiful Bermuda around for the benifit of if only for our children.
This will no happen over night the only way to do that is. ” Marketing” a fancy word for advertising over seas for $$$$$.
We need ideas and lots of them ,to generate $$$$$ income that will come throgh the front door of our hotels. and not out their back door .
Use you e mail account to advertise Bermuda
JOBS .JOBS .JOBS. team leaders where are you ??????????
YOU are going to help your selves and others also that is call team work . Age does not matter
We all. have shills make the work for you need you to have take home. Friday pay.
Know your skills and sell them to every Human Resorses dept .
Get used to the word sorry we have nothing for you say i see you next week .
I hope Bernews and RG will join in the struggle with us .
I am an old guy my problems not yours an yours are not mine.
I am not a quitter, a pain in the neck, may be, some times.
I am the PAC MAN.
I have seen in the past ,many atacks on inflation and recession all that is not new, we will make it.
it is going to take alot work so ! dont drop the ball help one another to find a job .
Increase for what? What have they done? That board must be living in another universe because they are clearly delusional. Look around this island is in a mess.
Many families and seniors are out here struggling. They should set the example and take a pay cut. They don’t have a worry on the world. I’ve never heard so much ludicrous crap in my life with these cowards.
They work very hard , i think they deserve the raise, give them a 22 percent raise for all they do, hard workers when will we see that!
Please do not pretend to be me. Use your own identity to make your posts.