HUDDERSFIELD MP Barry Sheerman is calling for a 50% pay rise.

Mr Sheerman said he believed the current basic £60,227 package for MPs was too low and undervalued the contribution made by his colleagues.

The veteran MP said about £90,000 would be appropriate.

The Review Body on Senior Salaries is taking representations from MPs on what they believe they are worth.

It has been reported a number of backbenchers have said they believe £100,000, or a 66% increase, is justified.

Colne Valley MP Kali Mountford is involved with the deliberations.

She is a member of the Speaker's Committee, gathering evidence to submit to the Review Body.

Ms Mountford said: "Three years ago, the Review Body said that MPs salaries were 15% behind those of head teachers.

"It is true MPs' pay has been slipping and certainly new MPs find they are working far harder and for less money that they were before they came to the House.

"I can tell you I worked 75 hours last week.

"But we are trying to do a proper job evaluation and work out a balance between what MPs should be getting and what Parliament can afford."

Mr Sheerman said the pressure on MPs had increased over the past 26 years he had been an MP.

He added: "There is much more of a media spotlight.

"It used to you got two or three requests a day but now it can be anything up to 20 or 30.

"They can be at all times."

He also said the traditional post bag method of listening to constituents had changed.

He added: "A recent example would be my statements on climate change.

"I got about 300 cards through the post but a huge number of emails.

"I and my staff have to try and sort the messages and respond to them."

Mr Sheerman also said an MP's salary should be comparable with that of a GP or the head of a medium-sized secondary school head teacher.

In addition to a flat rate of £90,000 Mr Sheerman said he believed those who take up extra responsibilities, such as on select committees, should get extra.

Mr Sheerman, who is chair of the education select committee, said at the current time MPs who serve on such committees got an extra £13,000 in salary.

He added: "We need strong committees with good people on them to examine decisions made by government.

"People are getting poached to be Parliamentary Private Secretaries before they are good Parliamentarians. MPs who work above and beyond the normal level should be rewarded."