MPs give themselves ANOTHER pay rise but public sector gets NOTHING

• MPs give themselves ANOTHER pay rise
• £1,300 extra but nothing for public sector
• What's the best way to start saving money?

MPs are giving themselves an early Christmas present - a pay rise.

In April 2018, MPs salary will go up to £77,379 a year, which is an extra £1,300.

They will be getting a 1.8% rise, when other public sector workers have their salary frozen for another year, or just a meagre 1% increase.

The news of MPs pay rise comes after inflation rates continue to rocket, with the cost of living up 3.1% - a record high for six years.

It's a slap in the face for those working in emergency services and the public sector.

And it isn't even the first time MPs have treated themselves to a pay rise recently.

Earlier in 2017 they had a 1.4% rise after another 1.3% rise in 2016.

• Since the Tory austerity programme in 2010, MP salaries have risen 17.7%, or £12,000.

Don't forget the expenses available to MPs for travel, second homes and campaigning.

How much does MP pay rises cost the public? £7.8 million since 2010.

Meanwhile austerity measures have included a freeze on pay for public sector workers, a reduction of services, and money being cut from the NHS.

But isn't the national minimum wage increasing too?

Chancellor Philip Hammond made a gesture to increase the minimum wage in this year's Budget, but it is still trailing behind a real living wage.

The Budget plans to keep public sector pay frozen, with the exception of NHS nurses - who may not even get it:

• An independent panel will decide if nurses can get a pay rise, and then this will be voted for in Parliament, so it may not happen.

This means things are getting tougher for families and we need to stick together more than ever.

Tom said, "to save money the most important step is to get information. Where's the best deal? What's the best price?

"And the easiest way to get information is to be with like-minded people: other deal hunters.

"It's been clear for a while now you cannot rely on the Government to help. You have to help yourself. The best way to do that is in a community like LatestDeals.co.uk. We can learn from each other and have fun at the same time."

What are the best ways to start saving money?

• Iceland is giving 10% off to emergency services for Christmas
• Anyone can get a student card giving discounts such as 10% at Co-Op food
• Tom's 3-30 Money Diet: Do an inflation reset

• NBFP - Never Buy Full Price: only 35% of product sales are sold at full price. Most things are sold at a discount and brands know this. They purposefully mark the price up so that they can discount it later. If you're buying at full price, you're missing out. Wait for a discount.
• Voucher First: Always look for a voucher code. Nearly all online brands create voucher codes because they know it increases conversions. If you save just 5% on everything you buy, you're beating inflation.