A HAMPSHIRE MP has kept his promise to donate his recent pay rise to a local charities.

Labour Southampton Test MP Alan Whitehead says the ten per cent increase will all go to the Rose Road Association, and other

And some of the county's other MPs also say they will donate some or all of the increase to charity while others have said that

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority approved the hike from £67,000 to £74,000 earlier this year despite widespread opposition, while the Prime Minister had previously described the move as "simply unacceptable" before then saying that it was "the rate for the job".

Dr Whitehead, now Hampshire's only non-Conservative MP, had pledged to give two thirds of his rise to the Rose Road Association, which works with youngsters suffering from complex health issues in the area, and a third to other local charities.

He said: "I’ve always said I would not keep this pay rise and after careful thought I think it is appropriate that the money goes towards organisations in Southampton who are working to support disadvantaged people locally."

The Daily Echo asked his Conservative fellow-MPs whether they would do the same as Dr Whitehead, with Southampton Itchen MP Royston Smith saying he “has been making donations to local people and causes” but did not say how much or to who exactly.

New Forest West MP Desmond Swayne, a Minister for International Development, said: "At a time when we still have a substantial deficit in the public finances and are rightly imposing wage restraint on public sector workers, we cannot afford, either economically or politically, for our politicians to be paid more, whatever international comparisons there might be."

But he said giving it away would be a "big ask" as ministers' pay had been cut by five per cent after the 2010 General Election and frozen for the rest of this Parliament, and that the increased pay is "cost neutral", and was matched by cuts to allowances and pension benefits and an increase in pension contributions.

Romsey and Southampton North MP Caroline Nokes said: “I intend to keep my promise to donate any net increase in salary to charity, however I do not believe one’s charitable donations should be used for publicity and will therefore keep the names of the charities private.”

Fareham MP Suella Fernandes says she donates "considerable amounts of money" to charity and ran Sunday's (Oct 25) Great South Run in aid of The Haven Breast Cancer Centre in Titchfield.

Eastleigh's Mims Davies said she also raised £500 for charity at the run, adding: "Each MP has their own circumstances and responsibilities, and their own reasons for taking the pay rise or giving it to charity. I don't feel it is my business to comment on what other MPs do.

"It is, however, my intention to continue to raise and give money to good causes when the need and opportunity arises."

Meon Valley MP George Hollingbery said:”My family and I have raised more than £1m for local charities over the last ten years and we continue to be involved in fund raising activities.

"With regards to charitable giving, it is entirely a matter for any individual to decide for themselves if they wish to give to good causes.

"I certainly did not think it was right for MPs to receive a pay rise in the summer, but it was imposed by an independent body set up by MPs to decide pay.”

Their fellow Conservative MPs Julian Lewis (New Forest East), Caroline Dinenage (Gosport) and Steve Brine (Winchester) declined to comment.