MP GIVES HIS PAY RISE TO LOCAL CHARITY MANNA HOUSE

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has today pledged to give his annual pay rise to local homelessness charity Manna House in recognition of the impact the recession is having on local people.

The rise has been recommended by the Senior Salaries Review Body (SSRB), an independent panel which has taken over consideration of MPs' pay after MPs agreed to give up the power to vote on their own pay back in 2008. Parliament is now bound to agree to the recommendations from the independent panel, so the rise is automatic.

Prior to 2008 Tim was well known for consistently refusing to vote to increase MPs' pay.

Members of Parliament are in line for an increase of 1.5%, while many people face pay freezes or worse. Tim will set up a standing order to give the rise to Kendal based charity Manna House. Manna House was set up in April 2002 to provide housing advice, advocacy and support for those in the Kendal and the South Lakeland area who are homeless or vulnerably housed.

Tim said: "While many people suffer under the strain of the recession, MPs seem to be getting an advantage they do not deserve. The pay rise is wrong, so I will pass it straight to local charity Manna House to help tackle poverty and homelessness in our area. Homelessness is a serious issue as I saw recently when I slept rough with local volunteers to raise money for Manna House. If this money can go to help local people get a roof over their heads then it will have made a difference."