Prime Minister criticises Westminster councillors over 45% pay rise

By Jacob Phillips, Local Democracy Reporter

The Prime Minister has hit out at Westminster councillors for giving themselves a 45 per cent “pay increase” during the cost-of-living crisis.

Rishi Sunak criticised Westminster city council for voting to nearly double cabinet members’ allowances by almost £5,000 during Prime Minister’s Questions today.

The council voted to increase cabinet member allowances from £11,700 to £17,000 last week. The measure is lower than neighbouring council Kensington and Chelsea (£36,500), and that which Camden cabinet members got last year (£26,200).

Westminster and City of London MP Nickie Aiken asked the Prime Minister: “Does the Prime Minister share my astonishment that my local Labour-led Westminster council voted last week to raise council tax by two per cent, council tenant rent by seven per cent rent and increase allowances for its senior councillors by up to a staggering 45 per cent?”

The Prime Minister replied: “It is disappointing to see that it has been just under a year that the now Labour-run Westminster council has put its own councillor pay ahead of everything else.

“I cannot quite believe the figures we heard from my honourable friend. A staggering, an eyewatering, 45 per cent pay increase when people across our country and the border are suffering from cost-of-living pressures.”

Westminster City council deputy leaders will get a 16 per cent rise. This means cabinet members will receive an extra £5,600, and deputy leaders will get a £3,200 top-up.

In response to the Prime Minister’s comments, Westminster City council said it has historically paid some of the lowest allowances in London and that the figures bring in into line with other London councils.

A Westminster City council spokesman added: “The update is based on recommendations from an independent panel set up by London Councils, so is based on practice across the capital.

“The reality is that most senior roles were substantially below what London Councils’ independent advisers suggested.

“The leader of Westminster city council and his cabinet are responsible for an authority at the heart of the capital with unique pressures and demands.

“Their allowances remain moderate and proportionate to the extremely demanding jobs they do for the council.”

Pictured top: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (Picture: PA)