Tynwald members this week voted to accept the recommendations of an independent panel for a major shake-up of the parliament’s pay structure.

A debate at the October Tynwald led to a divided house but the extra month gave members a way to accept the recommendations as they supported an amendment by Liberal Vannin leader Lawrie Hooper (Ramsey).

The changes will mean MHKs’ basic pay will increase from £43,479 plus £7,403.60 expenses up to a basic salary of £65,098 with no expenses.

To reflect the difference in the jobs, the Legislative Council, which is not elected by the public, will be paid a base rate of £61,455. They currently get the same pay as MHKs.

However, the cost-neutral plan, will do far more to change Tynwald than a mere change in the rates of pay.

Once the new court sits after the 2021 General Election, members will no longer receive their no-questions-asked expenses. Instead, this is now part of their salary, meaning they pay tax and National Insurance on it.

But more importantly members who join departments will no longer get more money for doing so. Currently, they get 30% more than base rate for every department except for Treasury where the figure is 40%.

While ministers and chairmen of boards will continue to receive extra, MHKs and MLCs would no longer face a financial penalty if they choose to carry out a more scrutiny-based role or resign from a department.

The island’s next Chief Minister will receive 30% more than the MHK’s base rate on his, or her, salary, taking home £84,627, which is actually £1,038 less than he is on now.

Ministers, the President and Speaker will get 15% more than the base pay.

They will all get £74,863. The Speaker currently is paid £69,566.40 while the President and ministers get £65,218.50.

Board chairmen will receive 5% more than base pay, taking home £68,353.

During this week’s debate, Lawrie Hooper (Ramsey) said: ’We should be taking that independent report as read, as a decision we have to live with whether we like it or not.

’This particular issue I believe is unique in this way and I think we’ve all generally agreed that we shouldn’t be making a decision on our own pay.’

Mr Hooper’s amendment, which was broadly supported, instructs the Tynwald emoluments committee to, by February 2021, bring forward provisions for the creation of a body that will set members’ salary, pension contributions and expenses.

The pay increase was backed in the Keys 16-8 and 7-1 in LegCo.