EAST Lancashire’s MPs remain divided over whether they should accept the £7,000 pay rise confirmed by Westminster authorities yesterday.

Most will give the extra cash to charity but Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans will take it, saying the rise was linked to cuts in MPs allowances that made it ‘cost neutral’.

Despite Prime Minister David Cameron calling for a rethink over the 10 per cent rise, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority has announced it will go ahead.

It means MPs’ salaries will rise from £67,060 to £74,000 and then be pegged with average rises in the public sector, limited to one per cent for this Parliament.

Blackburn Labour MP Kate Hollern and Pendle Tory Andrew Stephenson condemned the decision and will give the extra cash to constituency charities.

Mr Stephenson said: “It is the wrong thing to do but we have to take it. I will give my pay rise to charity.”

Rossendale & Darwen Tory MP Jake Berry said: “This is totally inappropriate at a time of pay restraint I will be giving the net difference local charities.”

Burnley’s Labour MP Julie Cooper said: “I don’t think this is an appropriate pay rise when people are suffering from poverty. I will use it to subsidies by new office in Burnley and give the rest to charities in the constituency.”

Mr Evans said: “I will accept it. It has never been right that MPs set their own salaries. With the cuts in other allowances it will be cost neutral and any rises will rightly be limited to one per cent for the next five years.”

Mrs Hollern said: “I don’t think it is the right thing to do when people in need are suffering from this government “I will be looking at how I can distribute the extra money between Blackburn charities.”

Former Blackburn MP Jack Straw said: “MPs should take it and it is long overdue. Sitting MPs can’t say it, but their pay has fallen behind other comparable professions.”

The Labour MPs for Hyndburn, Graham Jones, and Chorley, Lindsay Hoyle, were unavailable for comment.