Cameron's votes will save Brown on MPs pay

Last updated at 21:16 10 January 2008


Gordon Brown will be forced to rely on Conservative votes to head off a rebellion by Labour MPs determined to push through inflation-busting pay rises.

The Prime Minister is bracing himself for a humiliating defeat after backbenchers signalled they would ignore his demands for restraint.

Labour MPs are unhappy at being urged to reject the findings of the independent Senior Salaries Review Body, which will recommend a rise of about

2.8 per cent.

The whole package will amount to £6,000 on their current £60,675 salary - or 10 per cent - over three years.

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Gordon Brown/David Cameron

Labour backbenchers are expected to ignore Mr Brown's exhortations to vote for increases of about 1.9 per cent, in line with awards to police officers and nurses.

Many will vote for the full increase to shore up their pensions, fearing that they will lose their seats at the next General Election.

But the Premier is likely to be spared from defeat by David Cameron, who has instructed his front bench to oppose the recommendation.

The SSRB report will be published next Wednesday, and MPs will vote on January 24.

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