by Linda Straker
- New parliamentary income will come into effect as of 1 January 2024
- First increase for members in both Houses of Parliament in 23 years
- Collective monthly income for MPs in Lower House will be EC$14,000
As of January 2024, the collective monthly income for Members of Parliament (MPs) in the Lower House will move from approximately EC$9,000 to EC$14,000 while members of the Senate serving as government ministers will have an additional monthly EC$3,500.
During a meeting on 22 November, the House Committee agreed to adjust allowances for members in both houses. The new parliamentary income will come into effect as of 1 January 2024.
The House Committee comprises Speaker Leo Cato as Chairman, Kerryne James and Joseph Andall from the Government side, while Emmalin Pierre and Clarice Modeste represent the Opposition.
According to the minutes of the meetings tabled in the sitting of the Lower House on Tuesday, 28 November 2023, members of the Government had a maximum figure of EC$7,500 but EC$5,000 was adopted as a starting point for the year 2024.
The Committee agreed to the following:
- Members of the House of Representatives – $5,000
- Members of the Senate – $3,500
- Leaders of Government’s Business in the House and Senate (Responsibility Allowance) – $ 500
- The Speaker of the House of Representatives – $5,500
- The President of the Senate – $4,500
- The Leader of His Majesty’s Opposition (Responsibility Allowance) – $ 500
- Deputy Speaker of the House – $ 500
- Deputy President of the Senate – $ 500
According to the 2023 Estimate of Revenue and Expenditure, a government minister who is a senator receives approximately EC$85,994 annually or just over EC$7,166. There is also an additional monthly EC$2,000 in allowance for travel.
The EC$3,500 additional from the Parliament as of January 2024 will, therefore, establish a total monthly collective income of EC$12,666 or EC$127,994 annually for a senator serving as a government minister. The senators serving as Government Ministers are Gloria Thomas, David Andrew, Claudette Joseph, Adrian Thomas and Jonathan La Crette.
An elected Member of Parliament in the Lower House or House of Representatives receives an annual income of EC$82,687 as a government minister, according to the 2023 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure. There is also a monthly travel allowance of EC$2,000. The additional EC$5,000 from Parliament as of January 2024 will increase the collective annual income to EC$166,867 or EC$13,890 monthly.
This is the first increase for members in both the Lower and Upper Houses of Parliament in 23 years.
