Following reports today that the MPs' expenses watchdog will recommend a pay rise for MPs to £74,000, the latest poll of people by MoneySavingExpert.com reveals widespread opposition. The median average vote was to pay MPs the same as a headteacher – £55,000 a year, that’s £11,000 less than they currently get. This means over 50 percent think MPs should be paid less than their current basic salary of £66,000pa, and 11 percent want the role to be voluntary.

In response to a poll by the UK’s biggest consumer website, hundreds took to Twitter and Facebook to voice scathing criticisms of MPs and their salary. Four years after the MPs' expenses scandal was exposed many people continue to distrust elected officials and the expenses they claim. Many more attacked MPs for being out of touch with the financial pressures faced by people across the country.

Martin Lewis, creator of MoneySavingExpert.com comments: “While personally I support boosting MPs' pay to attract quality applicants, I am out of sync with the public who certainly believe they are already vastly overpaid and not value for money. “The comments about the poll showed real public venom towards our elected officials. Prominent was the view that for them to get a pay cut when the public sector pay rise is capped at 1 percent is hypocritical. Others views were far saltier – with it seeming a few were voting for a pay cut almost as a form of punishment to those in power.

“The response also showed widespread public confusion over the role and work of Members of Parliament. Many see ‘MPs’ and ‘the government’ as the same thing. Some also draw the conclusion that an empty House of Commons chamber on TV screens means MPs do very little work. And few seemed to realise (or believe) the pay rise was being proposed by an independent elected committee. “For the public to feel comfortable with their servant being paid more – politicians should first face a tough climb to regain their respect.“