Rachel Gilmour, the Liberal Democrat MP for Tiverton and Minehead, is facing backlash over the salary offered for a recently advertised caseworker position. The role, which supports constituents and assists at regular surgeries, was listed with an annual salary of £23,810 for 37.5 hours per week—equating to £12.21 per hour.
Although this wage complies with the national living wage rate, which rose to £12.21 per hour in April 2025, it falls short of the £12.60 hourly ‘real living wage’ advocated by the Living Wage Foundation. This discrepancy has drawn criticism, particularly because the Liberal Democrats publicly endorse the real living wage as a minimum standard for all public sector jobs—a key part of their campaign to address the cost of living and boost job retention.
Local Conservative Party activist James Wright, chairman of the Conservative Rural Forum in the South West, condemned the MP’s approach, saying: “It’s one rule for them, and another for small businesses and charities. The Lib Dems push for increased taxes and regulations but do the bare minimum with their own budgets. If they truly support the living wage, they must lead by example.”
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MPs receive an annual staffing budget exceeding £250,000, managed under the regulations of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA). While IPSA sets salary bands for various roles, MPs have discretion in the banding choices within these parameters. This autonomy sometimes results in variance in wage offerings.
Rachel Gilmour’s office is also advertising for an office manager role based in Tiverton, though the salary details for this position have not been disclosed. The MP’s team emphasized that all salary decisions adhere strictly to IPSA guidelines and legal standards, including the national living wage, underscoring a commitment to responsible use of taxpayer funds.
This controversy highlights tensions around MPs' staffing budgets and the broader debate on implementing the real living wage in public sector roles, especially among politicians who advocate for such policies on a national level.