Over £9 million has been paid to MLAs since the collapse of Stormont over 18 months ago.
Secretary of state, Karen Bradley, was appearing before the Northern Ireland select committee when the figure was revealed. 
Three months ago, Ms Bradley stated that she was “minded” to cut the pay to MLAs but it now appears that MLAs “mortgage payments” are among several possible reasons why no reduction has been imposed. 
Ms Bradley said: “I asked for representations on what we should do from parties and MLAs, however this is people’s employment and salaries and mortgage payments, and I’m mindful of that and I also have to be mindful that MLAs still work hard for their constituents on the whole, so I am still considering the position.”
When asked by Lady Syliva Hermon, MP for North Down, what “political parties objected to MLAs salaries bring cut?” Ms Bradley stated that “it would not be right to comment on private meetings.”
If the Secretary of State is being lobbied to maintain salaries at their current level it seems at odds to what the three parties who have MLAs in Fermanagh and South Tyrone are saying. 
UUP leader Robin Swann told The Impartial Reporter: “On every occasion that we met the Secretary of State, I made clear that there is no opposition from the Ulster Unionist Party to reducing MLA pay in line with the Reaney recommendations.”
The Reaney report proposed cutting the MLA salary from £49,500 to £35,888 with Sinn Fein also agreeing with its recommendations:
“Sinn Féin agree with the Trevor Reaney proposals to cut MLA pay. We have stated that fact very clearly to Karen Bradley on more than one occasion.”
A DUP spokesperson said: “The DUP’s position has been consistent. It is not sustainable to maintain current pay arrangements if there is no prospect of devolution returning.”