Newcastle’s councillors have rejected a pay rise labelled “wholly wrong” at a time when Geordies are struggling with a cost of living crisis.
An independent panel had recommended that the city’s 78 elected representatives give themselves a 3.1% rise in their annual allowances, totalling almost £30,000.
But that idea was unanimously rejected on Wednesday night, as political leaders vowed to stand in solidarity with residents who have been hard hit by rising household bills and the devastating impact of Covid-19.
