EAST Lancashire’s MPs are split over whether they should accept a £7,000 pay rise.

Prime Minister David Cameron has called for the organisation that sets pay for MPs to rethink plans for a ten per cent salary hike.

No 10 said a letter was being sent to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority after Mr Cameron came under pressure to take a stand against the salary increase.

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Mr Cameron previously described the £74,000 proposed pay packet, which comes after the rest of the public sector was restricted to a one per cent rise, as unacceptable.

Pendle’s Tory MP Andrew Stephenson said: “If I can vote against the pay rise, I will. If it goes ahead I will give it to charity.”

Tory MP Jake Berry (Rossendale & Darwen) said: “This is completely wrong and it shows just how out of touch this body in London is with everyone who lives in our area. If this comes before parliament I will vote against it. These civil servants need to get into the real world. It is offensive to hardworking families in East Lancashire. If MPs’ pay is increased, I will donate the difference to local good causes.”

Burnley’s Labour MP Julie Cooper said: “If it is awarded I will distribute the money between Burnley charities.”

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans (Conservative) said: “This is a pay package which removes some allowances and alters pension arrangements which means it is totally neutral in its settlement.

“I do not believe MPs should decide their own salaries.

“An independent body has been set up which is deciding the pay and allowance packages.

“It is still consulting on the pay element and will make an announcement before the summer. Whatever it decides I will accept.”

Labour MPs for Blackburn, Hyndburn and Chorley — Kate Hollern, Graham Jones and Lindsay Hoyle respectively — were unavailable for comment.