I REFER to your report, published Friday, July 17, that the region’s MPs are in line for an increase in their salaries after the Parliamentary regulator confirmed a 10 per cent pay hike.

What you failed to report was that the regulator also confirmed that they will receive inflation-busting rises year-on-year over the next four years in addition to this current £7,000 hike.

Based on information from the Office for Budget Responsibility calculations the salaries will increase from £67,060 to £86,000, a staggering 28 per cent increase.

When every other part of the public sector has to settle for next to nothing, it is outrageous that MPs’ salaries are to be hiked by more than £19,000.

Indeed, it is notable that the majority of the region’s 15 MPs failed to respond to your request for comments.

However, I well remember a farming friend stating: “Billy the only time the pigs stop grunting and squealing is when they have their snouts in the trough.”

Billy Neilson, Bishop Auckland.