Cuts fund pay rises for Labour councillors

10.34.39pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 22nd Nov 2006

Vital services to Lambeth residents are being cut to fund massive pay rises for Labour administration councillors.

The increases, voted through by Labour councillors without discussion on 22 November, double the special responsibility allowances for members of the Labour cabinet members to 28,000 pounds on top of a basic 10,000 pounds for all councillors.

The total cost to the council is almost half a million pounds a year. "It uses up all the savings being made by Labour's cuts to the youth service and housing office closures," said Lib Dem leader Councillor Ashley Lumsden.

"Labour kept this plan for huge pay rises secret until after the May election," he said. "It was their first concern when they got back into power. We refused to sign up to any talk of increases then, and we will oppose these outrageous and unjustified pay hikes."

"Labour should be concentrating on improving services for residents, not on bettering themselves."

Anyone expecting to see Labour justify their snouts in the trough at Full Council on 22nd November was disappointed as a stage-managed agenda meant there was no discussion at all of the pay increases and Labour voted them through with their large majority. Next time you see a Labour councillor on your doorstep with a big cheesy smile, you'll know why.