Merton Labour splash £371,000 of taxpayers' cash on political staff

Merton Labour splash £371,000 of taxpayers' cash on political staff

Data obtained by the Liberal Democrats shows that Labour's political staffing costs have risen from £154,000 in 2022/23 to £371,000 in 2026/27 - an increase of £217,000.

The surge comes after Merton Labour recorded its lowest vote share in 44 years at May's local elections, winning 31% of the vote, while the Liberal Democrats achieved their highest ever share at 28%.

Despite Labour's declining support, the number of political staff working for Labour Council bosses – and the cost to taxpayers - has more than doubled in 4 years. As part of the £217,000 increase, Labour has created three brand-new roles: a Cabinet Manager, a Cabinet Support Officer, and a Leader's Executive Support Manager.

Meanwhile, Merton's entire planning enforcement team has just three officers responsible for tackling planning breaches across the borough and Merton has only five members of staff inspecting temporary accommodation housing 746 households.

The Liberal Democrats have criticised Labour for diverting taxpayers' money into its political operation while frontline services are being asked to make savings. This year's budget included proposals to cut one staff post in every Council department, aiming to save £300,000.

Merton Labour has previously faced criticism for its use of public money, including in 2022 the Labour Leader of the Council was public funds moving his designated parking space, and in early 2023 the shock spending of £230,000 on redecorating costs and fancy furniture for two offices used only by Labour councillors and their political staff.

Cllr Richard Poole, Lib Dem lead member for Finance and the Cost of Living, said:

"It's no co-incidence that as Labour's vote share goes down, the number of political staff employed goes up.

"There is something extraordinary about the Leader cutting vital Council staff in other departments while recruiting brand-new roles to support his own political operation. This number of political staff in a local authority is quite unusual.

"Labour are hanging on in Merton by their fingertips. Residents will rightly ask why, when Council services are under pressure, Cllr Garrod thinks the priority is more political support for his lead councillors."

Notes

• Response to Cllr Simon McGrath's question showing the Labour party in Merton now has 8 full-time political staff costing £371,316 [see question 2]
• Cllr Simon McGrath's supplementary question at the meeting on 16 September on YouTube.
• In 2025/26, Merton Council Cabinet Members received an annual allowance of £38,127 to carry out their duties, detailed here.
• Staffing costs for Siobhain McDonagh MP (Mitcham and Morden): https://www.theipsa.org.uk/mp-staffing-business-costs/your-mp/siobhain-mcdonagh/193
• Staffing costs for Paul Kohler MP (Wimbledon): https://www.theipsa.org.uk/mp-staffing-business-costs/your-mp/paul-kohler/5321
• The savings proposal to reduce frontline staff at Merton Council is here (p. 223).

2022 and 2026 election comparison