A Kent MP says Westminster politicians should be paid a straight salary with no expenses... and has described a planned 9% hike in pay as 'unrealistic'.

Dover MP Charlie Elphicke (Con) was responding to the announcement by IPSA - the independent spending watchdog - that MPs' pay should be increased by £6,000 to £74,000 a year from 2015.

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority also recommends cuts to perks such as meal allowances and taxis and a less generous pension scheme.

Mr Elphicke said: "My view is that it is totally unrealistic and that MPs are in an impossible position. What we need to do is simply have a flat salary system without expenses.

"It would be much simpler and easier to understand. IPSA's proposals should be scrapped and it should start again as these changes do nothing at all on any level.

"It is completely unrealistic for MPs to have a pay rise at a time when hard-working families are struggling to make ends meet and doing their best without any pay rises."

The leaders of the three main parties have already distanced themselves from the idea of a pay hike.

Under IPSA's proposals, "golden goodbyes" paid to retiring MPs could also be trimmed.

All MPs currently get a basic annual salary of £65,738, which will rise next year with an already-budgeted increase.

They get more if they have extra responsibilities, such as chairing select committees, or as ministers.