The district's MPs have hit out at an 11 per cent pay rise proposal which could see them earn an extra £7,500 per year.

Both Braintree MP Brooks Newmark and Witham MP Priti Patel have said the rise, which would come into effect after the 2015 general election, would be inappropriate.

Some MPs have suggested they would reject the rise, which would increase their salary to £74,000, but neither of the district’s MPs confirmed what they would do.

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, which has sole responsibility for the decision, has previously announced the rise as a recommendation along with MPs having to pay more into their pensions, some allowances scrapped and cuts to second home claims.