Sitting politicians who don't get elected next week could get up to £12,500 in redundancy payments

(33582939)

SITTING politicians who lose out at the polls will have to ponder what they do after life in the States…

But new rules on States Members’ pay may soften the blow a little.

As well as radical political reforms, the 2022 election also marks the first with new changes to severance packages for those who lose their seat.

Previously, all Members were entitled to one month’s salary as a redundancy package regardless of whether they had lost their seat or if they had voluntarily stepped down or how long they had served as a States Member.

But, following recommendations made in 2019 by the States Members’ Remuneration Review Body, this year any serving politician who stands unsuccessfully will receive a payout of one month’s salary per four years of continuous service.

As of the start of this month, States Members are paid £50,000 per year, meaning a States Member who is unsuccessful next Wednesday will get £4,1667.67 if they have served one term, £8,333.33 if they have served two terms and £12,500 if they have served three terms.

Those who opt not to seek re-election are not entitled to severance pay.

Last year, the Assembly agreed that a new independent body be established to review politicians’ pay to replace the States Members’ Remuneration Review Body. However, calls to repeal a law which requires all Members to be paid the same amount were rejected by 25 votes to 18.

– Advertisement –
– Advertisement –