MPs' Pay

It was not until 1911 that Parliament decided that members of the House of Commons should be paid an official salary.

In 1911 MPs received £400. By 2009 the salary of a backbench MP had increased to £64,766.

MPs also receive expenses to cover the cost of their regular trips from their constituencies to Westminster.

If an MP's constituency is outside inner London he or she receives money to help with the extra costs of having accommodation in both London and their constituency.

The rates of Members' pay and allowances are regularly reviewed by the Senior Salaries Review Board (SSRB) and MPs' pay has been linked to the level of pay of senior civil servants since 1983.

MPs gave up the right to have the final say on their own pay in 2008.

Ministers, the Speaker, whips and some opposition politicians are paid more because of their extra responsibilities.