I AM sorry to see repeated references in the Daily Echo in recent weeks from readers writing in to compare pay arrangements in the NHS with those relating to MPs who, it is claimed, sign off their own pay rises. This is completely wrong.

MPs’ pay is set by an outside body, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA), and parliamentary representatives have no say in the matter whatsoever.

Indeed, many are furious with IPSA for trying to force them to accept a pay increase which they do not want, let alone one in double figures, as has been suggested.

It is easy enough for people to take a sarcastic pop at Members of Parliament who are trying to represent their constituents to the best of their ability – easy but wrong in this instance.

DOROTHY FUDGE, Totton.