Harrow UNISON members have hit out at the “breathtaking hypocrisy” in Harrow Borough Council’s wage cuts.

The trade union claims that while more than 500 members of council staff, including librarians, park keepers and care works, are preparing for large salary cuts, the politicians have voted to exclude themselves from the misery.

UNISON says that councillors have agreed to slash staff pay but that they voted unanimously not to cut their own personal member allowances.

Darren Butterfield of Harrow UNISON said: “In a display of breathtaking hypocrisy Full Council agreed a motion moved by Councillor Graham Henson and former leader Councillor Bill Stephenson that restricted a reduction in councillor’s allowances to only a handful of senior members.

“This is despite the commitment that the former Leader Bill Stephenson gave to staff and unions earlier this year that all councillors would be affected by a similar percentage reduction should an agreement on new terms and conditions be reached with unions.”

UNISON has now asked councillors to urgently consider the huge financial sacrifices that are being made by staff, and to ensure that all councillors have their allowances reduced by one per cent.

This call comes after the council announced that senior council members would have their allowances cut by one per cent.

The Harrow Times is awaiting a comment from the council.