Fury as payouts to politicians who lose their seats set to DOUBLE as MPs already start begging for jobs from lobby firms
TAX justice campaigners reacted with fury today as it emerged that MPs who lose their seat at the next election will bag DOUBLE payouts.
Losing politicians are handed money by the Independent Independent Standards Authority to cover winding down their offices and managing staff departures.
The standard payout had been the equivalent of two months' wages.
But it will now double to four months, meaning some MPs are in for a £17,000 pay day.
Politicians who stand down before a general election don't receive the cash.
John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, told The Sun: "Brits will be furious that golden goodbyes for MPs are set to double.
READ MORE POLITICS
“These payouts already cost taxpayers a pretty penny.
"IPSA should think again before tapping up taxpayers during a cost of living crisis.”
It comes as swathes of Tory MPs have already started rushing to high-end lobbying firms in the hope of bagging a job.
One top firm recently received six requests from separate backbenchers who plan to fight the next election.
Among them are former ministers.
IPSA said the decision was made because it believes the time it takes to completely shut a parliamentary office is longer than two months.
Its ruling said: "Former MPs will continue to have access to their normal budgets (pro-rated) for that four-month period, and they will continue to employ staff as needed to assist them in winding up their affairs."
Most read in The Sun
MPs who have served more than two years are also eligible for loss-of-office payments and longer-serving MPs bag larger amounts.
The payments, similar to redundancy packages, will be available to all eligible politicians who exit Westminster at the next election.
An IPSA spokesperson said: "Following a public consultation earlier this year, based upon the evidence available to us and our own experience from previous elections, we agreed that the winding up period is too short for former MPs and their staff to close down their offices and deal with outstanding casework.
"It is also unfair to expect those closing their offices to do so once their employment has ended.
"We therefore have extended it to allow a smoother transition for Members of Parliament and for their constituents."