For Reed, read greed

11.27.28am GMT Thu 30th Nov 2006

Lambeth Labour's leadership has been widely criticised for announcing huge pay increases for themselves before making any improvements to the running of the Council. Indeed Labour's great pay bonanza comes at a time when they are cutting services for needy people in Lambeth and struggling to balance the books.

Labour apologists cry out that they must spend an extra £1 million of local taxpayers' money 'to earn enough money to survive.' That will come as a blow to voters last May who did not realise that when Labour said they wanted to tackle poverty, they actually meant their own.

Under the responsible Liberal Democrat period of office from 2002 to 2006, which raised the Council from zero stars under Labour to a two star authority, the Leader of the Council was able to take home £25,500. Now Labour's greedy Steve Reed wants to shove a total of £48,157 into his back pocket.

Meanwhile his gold-plated cabinet colleagues will see 92 per cent pay increases, taking home £38,880, while their deputies rake in a whopping 105 per cent increase in their so-called special responsibility allowances. Even Labour backbenchers will see their pay packets increase from £8,000 to nearly £10,000.

Liberal Democrat Leader Cllr Ashley Lumsden said he was shocked by Labour's greed: 'Considering pensions and benefits will only rise by 3.6 per cent next year, it is unjustifiable for councillors' wages to increase this much.'

He added, 'It is obvious that the cuts made to the youth service earlier this year will go towards funding their allowances. We froze wages for the four years we were in control of the Council and now some of their salaries will more than double.'

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.

Labour's Menu of Greed

Leader Old £25,000 NEW £38,193 (plus £10K basic allowance)

Cabinet members £15,000 £28,816 (plus £10K basic allowance)

Dep Cabinet members £ 5,000 £10,254 (plus £10K basic allowance)

Chief Whip £7,500 £15,381 (plus £10K basic allowance)

Scrutiny Chairman £ 5,000 £10,254 (plus £10K basic allowance)

Planning Chairman £ 7,500 £15,381 (plus £10K basic allowance)