A British Conservative MP has resigned as a minister because his mortgage is increasing, which he cannot pay with his ministerial salary.
Former minister George Freeman says his monthly mortgage payments have risen from £800 (about $1,360) to £2,000 ($3,400), which he cannot afford on his £118,000 (more than $200,000) salary.
“And because my mortgage goes from £800 to £2,000 this month, which I just couldn’t afford on a ministerial salary,” Mr Freeman said, as quoted by The Mirror on Monday.
Last year, MPs' salaries stood at £86,584, while government members' allowances rose by £31,860, taking Mr Freeman's salary to around £118,444 while he was still on the Conservative executive committee.
“It is time for me to focus on my health, the well-being of my family and my life outside of the front office,” Mr. Freeman said upon resigning as science minister in November.
The Conservative MP for Mid Norfolk noted on his blog that he was “exhausted” and “depressed” after holding five ministerial posts under four successive prime ministers, according to the British tabloid.
“I was so exhausted and depressed that I began to lose that irrepressible spirit of optimism, effort, teamwork and progress that is the foundation of human success,” he said.