COUNCILLORS should be given a pay rise, says a Glasgow MSP.

John Mason, SNP Shettleston MSP, says they are not financially rewarded enough for the work they do.

He asked the Local Government minister, Kevin Stewart, if he would consider raising their salaries.

A councillor receives £17,000 per year unless they have special responsibility payments for being in charge of a policy area.

In Glasgow there are 85 city councillors and most receive the basic salary. Many have other jobs that they do while carrying out their duties as a councillor.

Others in senior positions receive a bigger salary to reflect the additional responsibilities they have.

Mason, who was himself a Glasgow councillor before he won the Glasgow East by election in 2008, said many councillors work as hard as some MPs he knows.

Almost 15 years ago pay of councillors was looked at and paying the same as MSPs was ruled out.

Mr Mason said: “Members of Parliament are paid some £77,000, members of the Scottish Parliament get £62,000 and councillors get £17,000.

“That seems a bit uneven, given that in my view, certainly many councillors work just as hard as some MPs I know.”

Mr Stewart said councillors will get a 2.8% increase this year. He added that there are marked differences between the roles of local councillors and MSPs or MPs

Mr Stewart, said: “Mr Mason has pointed out the basic salary of councillors. As he is aware, many councillors also receive special responsibility allowances above that.

“In 2005, the independent Scottish local authorities remuneration committee considered whether councillors’ pay should be comparable to that of MSPs, but concluded that it should not, because there are more significant differences between the two roles than there are similarities.

“Of course, MSPs are legislators with a national role, whereas councillors are responsible for local services.”

The minister said it was unlikely that the committee would change its mind.

He added: “The remuneration committee revisited the issue in 2010 and came to exactly the same conclusion.

“As a former councillor, I appreciate the contribution and hard work of councillors across the country, but I am not persuaded that recalling the remuneration committee at this point would lead to a different conclusion.”