MSPs are to get a pay rise, it has been confirmed.

The increase of 1.5% in April will give MSPs an extra £1000 a year, taking their annual salaries to £67,661.

Ministerial salaries will also increase by 1.5%.

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For a number of years, Scottish Government Ministers have declined to accept pay increases. 

Currently, cabinet secretaries are paid extra on top of their MSP pay.

Nicola Sturgeon, The First Minister is paid £96,567 on top of her MSP salary taking the total to £163,229.

If she takes the increase it would take her pay to £165,676.

Cabinet Secretaries are paid £50,097 on top of the MSP salary taking their total to £116,759.

If they accept the rise they will earn £118,510.

Holyrood annually increases MSP pay in accordance with the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) for the average of full-time public sector workers in Scotland

The Scottish Parliament said this means MSPs don’t vote on their pay rate, and the increase they receive reflects public sector pay rises in Scotland.