MLAs set to get £500 salary rise

An independent body is expected to recommend a pay increase for assembly members of about 3.5% - a far lower figure than predicted.

The Senior Salaries Review Body report is due to be published later this week.

According to an assembly source, the body has recommended MLAs get a £500 a year increase, bringing them to about three quarters of an MP's salary.

It is also thought it is recommending a cut in the mileage rate paid to assembly members for official travel.

It is also said to be questioning the level of office cost allowances paid to assembly members who are also MPs.

At the start of the year an internal assembly document obtained by the BBC predicted a pay rise of 16% for MLAs.

The Senior Salaries Review Body recommends pay levels for MPs at Westminster, Stormont assembly members and their counterparts in Scotland and Wales.