It has been confirmed that Northern Ireland Assembly members (MLAs) will see their salaries rise by just over £1,300 from next May.

Stormont's Independent Remuneration Board had initially proposed increasing MLAs annual salary to £69,216.

But on Thursday the board said having taken hundreds of views on board in a public consultation, it would now limit the increase to 2% instead of 3%.

Chair of the board, Alan Lowry, said a reduced cap on the annual percentage increase will be put in place after that date, limiting the overall financial impact of the changes.

He said the final determination is now being presented to the Assembly Commission for publication and implementation.

"We are grateful to more than 270 individuals who took the time to respond to our consultation, providing us with feedback and constructive commentary.

"We considered what people told us and, as a result, made significant adjustments to our proposals," he added.

"More than nine out of ten respondents told us that the proposed MLA salary was too high and disagreed that it appropriately reflected the complexity and importance of the MLA role."

He said the arrangements for the next mandate reflect inflation as well as wider pay trends and therefore involve a more modest financial adjustment.