MPs have just been awarded a bumper pay rise of £7,000, by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority.

The rise will take basic annual salaries to £74,000 – despite objections from some MPs and widespread anger from the public, many of whose salaries have fallen sharply in real terms over the past five years.

We asked all our local MPs for their views on the rise – and if they would be accepting the extra money.

Maldon Tory MP John Whittingdale and Clacton’s Ukip member Douglas Carswell failed to get back to us.

WILL QUINCE (Colchester)

Braintree and Witham Times:

“ALTHOUGH I disagree with the decision taken by Ipsa, it is right MP’s salaries are decided by an independent third party.

“It’s not possible to not accept the increase, but I already use a chunk of my salary to support my work as an MP, and this will allow me to do even more.”

BERNARD JENKIN (Harwich and North Essex)

Braintree and Witham Times:

“I AM not very amused by this whole situation.

“I would not have voted for a pay rise at this time, but I have no say over it.

“I can’t even refuse to accept it, but I do not discuss in public what I do with money.

“I do understand how much resentment will be caused by this pay increase.”

PRITI PATEL (Witham)

Braintree and Witham Times:

“DECISIONS relating to the salary of MPs are no longer made by MPs, but are now made by Ipsa.

“Ipsa was established to undertake this role independently following the MPs’ expenses scandal in 2009 and wider concerns about how pay and pension arrangements are decided.”

*She did not comment on whether she would accept the rise or how she felt about it.

JAMES CLEVERLY (Braintree)

Braintree and Witham Times:

“IPSA decided that’s what it was going to do and that’s the decision it has taken. It is independent and it made the decision. It lays down the rules and we play by the rules.

“When MPs voted on our own salaries, we didn’t put them up and I’m sure if we were voting on it now we wouldn’t put them up.

“It’s never a good time for MPs’ salaries to go up. We’re damned if we do, damned if we don’t.”