Proposals on how pay for Members and their staff will be set at the start of the next Senedd can be found here.
It forms part of a major exercise by the Board to review its Determination as the Senedd prepares to become a parliament of 96 Members.
This phase of the consultation focuses on:
- Members' pay
- Additional support for Members
- Staffing support
- Travel costs
Dr Elizabeth Haywood is the Chair of the Independent Remuneration Board of the Senedd:
"Members of the Senedd play a vital role in our democracy and we believe their pay should reflect that role and their responsibilities. We are also committed to promoting and supporting diversity and equality, reducing barriers so that the Senedd can reflect society, where anyone, no matter their background or circumstances, can become a Member of the Senedd. Members also require resources to employ staff to provide valued support to them and to their constituents."
"After careful consideration, our view is that the current salary level for Members is fair and reflects their role and responsibilities. We are therefore proposing that it should continue at the same level in the next Senedd, only increasing in line with ASHE (the average earnings in Wales) published in November."
"We recognise that the level of elected Members' pay can generate debate and some disagreement, and some disagreement, and we encourage all feedback on these important issues."
"Our proposals have been shaped by our statutory duties and core principles to ensure that Members' remuneration is fair and that they are provided with sufficient resources to support their duties, and that decisions represent value for money."
The consultation opens on 2 April, and will close at 17:00, Wednesday 4 June 2025. Information about the proposals and how to submit views is available on the Board’s website.
This is the second consultation of the Board’s two-part review of its Determination for the next Senedd as it prepares for the biggest change since devolution – becoming a parliament of 96 Members, with greater power to hold Welsh Government to account, develop new laws and better represent the people of Wales.
The election in May 2026 will also see the introduction of revised constituency boundaries under a new election system, where six Members will represent each of 16 new constituencies.
This will require significant changes to the Determination and for the Board to decide on the appropriate support for Members to enable them to do their jobs effectively whilst also ensuring value for money for the people of Wales.
Note to Editors
The Independent Remuneration Board of the Senedd – the independent body which makes decisions on Members’ pay and the resources available to them to do their job effectively – is seeking views on proposed changes to the provisions and support which will be available to Members in the next Senedd, after the election in May 2026.
This second phase of the consultation will focus on:
- Members pay: the Board propose that the salary level for Members at the start of the Seventh Senedd will remain at the same level as in 2025/26, plus an increase equal to the rate of the ASHE Wales index published in November 2025.
- Additional support for Members: proposals to provide additional support for Members who are disabled or who have caring responsibilities, including adjusting support for care of dependents outside of usual working hours and for overnight accommodation.
- Travel costs: resetting limits on travel costs between Members’ constituencies and attending business in Cardiff.
- Staffing costs: a proposal to introduce a job families pay and grading framework for support staff, benchmarked against Welsh public sector roles.
The first phase of the consultation was held in autumn 2024 and focused on overnight accommodation; constituency offices and engagement; and support for Senedd groups.
The Board will publish its final decision following the completion of both consultations in the summer of 2025.
The Consultation is available on the Remuneration Board website.
The Board is an independent body responsible for ensuring Members of the Senedd have the appropriate remuneration and resources available to them to undertake their role. This includes setting the salaries of Members as well as their other support such as staffing and office costs.
The Board’s work is underpinned by a set of clearly defined principles:
- financial support and remuneration for Members should support the strategic purpose of the Senedd and facilitate the work of its Members;
- decisions must be appropriate within the context of Welsh earnings and the wider financial circumstances of Wales;
- the system of financial support for Members must be robust, clear, transparent, sustainable, inclusive, and represent value for money for the taxpayer.