Is a 37% increase justified?

Proposals to give Leicester City Councillors a huge increase in allowances have been criticised by Leicester taxpayers and union leaders.

Under the proposals, the Labour City Council Leader could see his total allowances increase from £42,651 to £54,000. Backbench councillors' basic pay would increase from £6,918 to £9,500.

Cllr. Roger Blackmore, who was the Lib Dem leader of the council until the elections in May, has told local press, "My personal view is that the overall increases should be no higher than the rate of inflation. It does seem like a lot. People are understandably going to be very cynical if such a large overall increase is put forward." He went on to say that he hoped that some sense will prevail and the Labour group will realise that jacking up members' allowances way above the rate of inflation is just stupid.

A decision will be made on whether to accept the pay increases at a meeting of the full council on Thursday.