Ealing Council has increased the allowances it pays councillors by 3.2%, with the rise now in effect following approval at a full council meeting last month (3 March 2026). The leader of the Labour-run council, Councillor Peter Mason, now receives a total annual allowance of £76,570.52.
Under the updated scheme, the basic allowance paid to all councillors has risen from £13,329.46 in 2025/26 to £13,756.00 a year in 2026/27.
The increase, which Ealing Council says in line with the local government pay award for staff, applies to all 70 councillors in Ealing, covering both the basic allowance and additional payments for senior roles.
Senior councillors will also see their allowances increase. The leader Ealing Council, Councillor Peter Mason, will see his special responsibility allowance rise from £60,866.78 to £62,814.52, taking his total annual allowance to £76,570.52.
The allowance for the role has risen sharply in recent years, from £32,100 in 2021/22 to £54,860 in 2022/23 — a rise of around 71% — and to £62,814.52 for 2026/27, a further increase of 14%.
The deputy leader, cabinet members and the majority group chief whip will each see their special responsibility allowance increase from £44,224.38 to £45,639.56. Including the basic allowance, this takes their total annual payments to £59,395.56.
The latest increase continues a wider rise in councillors’ allowances in the borough. Since 2021/22, Ealing’s basic allowance has increased from £9,708 to £13,756 – a rise of more than 40%.
In May 2022, following proposals for a large increase in allowances, Councillor Gary Malcolm, leader of the Ealing Liberal Democrats, criticised the plans. He said: “Liberal Democrats say that it is wrong for Labour to massively increase the allowances for the Leader and other senior roles without any discussion with the communities of Ealing.
Councillor Malcolm added: “Councillors should be paid a fair allowance for the work they do, but Labour’s proposals seem very wrong given the current cost of living crisis. It appears they are sticking their noses into the gravy boat.”
A comparison with neighbouring boroughs finds Ealing is towards the higher end of councillor allowances in west London. In 2025/26, Ealing’s basic councillor allowance was £13,329, compared with £12,347 in Hammersmith and Fulham and £10,846 in Westminster, while Harrow’s was around £11,388.
Leadership allowances also vary across boroughs. In 2025/26, the leader of Hammersmith and Fulham received about £42,025, compared with £44,348 in Westminster and £60,866 in Ealing. Harrow’s equivalent allowance was £45,141.
Ealing Council links councillors’ allowances to staff pay settlements, with increases applied annually in line with those awards, subject to formal approval by full council.
Speaking to EALING.NEWS, an Ealing Council spokesperson said: “On 3 March 2026 Full Council agreed to a 3.2% increase of all councillors’ allowances from 1 April 2026. This is in line with the local government pay award for staff agreed for 2025/26.”
