MLAs set for £500 pay rise - but should they be hit in the pocket if they don't get back to business at Stormont?

Should our politicians be hit in the pocket if they can't reach a deal and get back to business at Stormont? Today the Belfast Telegraph front page reports that MLAs are actually in line for a £500 pay rise from this Saturday to £49,500 despite the Assembly in limbo over the power-sharing crisis. But former PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Alan McQuillan - who sat on the Independent Financial Review Panel (IFRP) - says cut MLA pay if there's no deal within 3 months. He says that for them to continue on full pay and expenses would anger the public. Yesterday Secretary of State James Brokenshire was asked if he would stop the salaries of Stormont MLAs if the impasse drifts on and replied: "All options are under consideration." One of his predecessors - Owen Paterson - suggested the politicians involved shouldn't be paid if they couldn't reach agreement. Stephen was joined by Alan McQuillan and former Liberal Democrat MP Lembit Opik.