'I hope any County Durham councillor who accepts a rise can look themselves in the mirror'

Councillors are expected to vote against giving themselves a 2% rise in allowances, according to the council leader.

Labour has slammed a proposed allowance rise as “scandalous”, pointing to the backdrop of a cost-of-living crisis and forthcoming national insurance and council tax hikes.

But the council’s Lib Dem leader has said she expects councillors will vote against it.