evidence: A 60 PER CENT-PLUS salary increase for MLAs' best paid staff has been described as "absolutely astounding" by a former member of the panel who was previously tasked with determining the costs Stormont representatives could claim back from the public purse. [...] The lowest grade MLAs' office workers will see their salaries increase by more than 30 per cent to £23,500, while their middle grade counterparts will enjoy an annual pay rise of almost 50 per cent to £29,400. [...] The commission has enhanced the workers' conditions, entitling them six months sickness on full pay, in line with public sector workers. MLAs have also been given the go-ahead to increase spending on their offices by more than 40 per cent to £7,000.