Jeremy Vine: James Max discusses pay rise for MPs

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James Max argued in favour of raising the wages of parliamentarians as he suggested the increase would ensure MPs could do “extraordinary” work for the British public. The Jeremy Vine panellist claimed the work of a politician is “more difficult” than other professions such as NHS nurses as he insisted MPs are currently “underpaid”. Mr Max said: “MPs are underpaid for who they are and what they do.

“The problem is this again becomes political because people say, ‘how can you possibly give our MPs…what do they do compared to these people who are saving our lives?’

“But it’s actually and probably far more difficult to be an MP than it is to be a nurse.”

The comment sparked an immediate reaction from host Jeremy Vine, who said: “Uh…you’re not serious?!

“How many people dying do MPs see?”

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Mr Max replied: “I am, I am serious. They probably see quite a lot.

“But the point is that an MP could be a nurse, a nurse couldn’t necessarily be an MP.

“And, actually, I would want our MPs to have more skills and more qualifications. I think this is a sad place that we’ve become.

“Suddenly we’ve got to a place where we’re not trying to seek the best-qualified people.”

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He continued: “If you are a really good MP, I want you to be able to make legislation, I want you to be able to think of really clever and extraordinary solutions for new policy.

“I want you to lead, I don’t just want you to be able to do any other…I want you to be extraordinary.

“And I also want you to be able to live your life and get on with it.”

The broadcaster’s comments come days after the British Government announced a U-turn on their proposed pay raise to NHS staff following public uproar.

Nurses and doctors were offered a one percent raise in recognition for their hard work throughout the pandemic but sector representatives lamented the offer was “too low.”

But Health Secretary Sajid Javid said on Wednesday: “NHS staff are rightly receiving a pay rise this year despite the wider public sector pay pause, in recognition of their extraordinary efforts.

“We asked the independent pay review bodies for their recommendations and I’m pleased to accept them in full, with a 3% pay rise for all staff in scope, from doctors and nurses to paramedics and porters.

“We will back the NHS as we focus our efforts on getting through this pandemic and tackling the backlog of other health problems that has built up. I will continue to do everything I can to support all those in our health service who are working so tirelessly to care for patients.”

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