TONY Blair will soon become the first Prime Minister to draw a double pension paid by the taxpayer.
At the end of the next Parliament, which Mr Blair has said will be his last, he will be entitled to collect a pension equal to approximately 50 per cent of his current PM's salary, together with a pension based on his MP's salary.
This could well give Mr Blair a pension in excess of £100,000 a year.
Mr Blair will also receive a tax-free lump sum payment when he leaves Parliament.
MPs voted to improve their pension rights, which are directly related to their salaries. I offer no prizes for guessing who votes on MPs' salaries.
It will be interesting to hear from Julia Drown, who leaves Parliament at the next election. Perhaps she could tell us what her pension will be for eight years of Parliamentary service?
After ten years an MP would qualify for a pension of £14,000 a year. For a worker on £30,000 the qualifying period of employment would be nearly 27 years.
Des Morgan
Caraway Drive
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