MEPs will see their annual staff allowances, used to employ assistants both in Brussels and their constituency offices, rise by €18,000 annually next year, despite austerity measures still in force in many EU member states.

The move follows a compromise deal reached within the Parliament’s Budgets committee.

Over and above their salaries, all MEPs are entitled to employ up to three assistants in Brussels and an unlimited number in their political constituency. For this purpose, all the 751 MEPs are given a monthly allowance of €21,379. Assistants are paid directly by the Parliament to avoid the possibility of abuse.

Apart from an annual salary of more than €96,000 a year, MEPs are also paid a €306-a-day subsistence allowance while in Brussels or Strasbourg and benefit from allowances for travel expenses, office management and travel outside the EU.

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