claim: MLAs were paid “nearly £2.2 million” in salaries up to 3rd September 2017.
evidence: Progressive Politics NI claimed that MLAs were paid "nearly £2.2 million" in salaries up to 3rd September 2017. Is this accurate? [...] FactCheckNI asked PPNI to explain how it calculated its estimate of "nearly £2.2 million"; it replied that it was based on MLAs earning a salary of £48,000 p.a. For the period of 13/3/2017-13/9/2017 (6 months), this equates to £2,160,000 (£4,000/month X 6 months X 90 MLAs). [...] This claim is broadly accurate: for the first six months of the new Assembly term, elected MLAs (and 3 non-returned office holders) received an estimated £2,333,188 in salaries (greater than claimed "nearly" £2.2 million). MLAs who signed the roll of membership at the Northern Ireland Assembly are receiving an annual salary of £49,500, regardless of whether the Assembly sits for business or not. (Eligible office holders are receiving a higher salary rate.)