LABOUR bosses at Blackburn town hall today defended plans to increase their expense allowances by up to 1,000 per cent.

Councillors claim the new allowances reflect the extra responsibilities they will have when Blackburn with Darwen Council becomes a unitary authority.

Coun Bill Taylor, deputy leader of the ruling Labour group, said: "For many members, council matters can occupy their time from 6am and often keep them busy until 11pm at night and at weekends.

"This often means members having to juggle their work and family commitments around their role as councillors.

"The allowances are not salaries, they are payments which make it possible for members to carry out their duties."

He added: "The increase will represent an overall rise from £150,000 a year to £350,000 which is proportionally less than the budget increase we shall experience."

The rises are set to be debated at a special policy and resources meeting tomorrow night.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.