TORY councillors will give themselves whopping salary increases this year - despite the fact they are cutting services across the borough.

Ray Puddifoot, leader of Hillingdon Council, is set to propose a massive 56 per cent pay rise for himself at today's council meeting bringing his salary for his part-time job as leader to more than £61,000 a year.

The deputy leader, councillor David Simmonds, is expected to get a rise of 71 per cent, and members of Hillingdon's cabinet will get 79 per cent.

The package is expected to cost Hillingdon taxpayers an additional £300,000 a year.

Hillingdon Council has recently removed funding for groups including Hillingdon Race Equality Council and Hillingdon Law Centre, as well as cutting £180,000 from Healthy Hillingdon.

Councillor Anthony Way, leader of the Labour group, said: "The Tories rejected our budget proposals calling for a freeze on members allowances.

"How can they justify these enormous increases while at the same time they are cutting the school uniform grant, cutting grants to the education psychology service, cutting grants to Healthy Hillingdon, cancelling core grants to Hillingdon Race Equality Council and the Law Centre and closing Southlands Arts Centre?

"It is complete madness - and proof that the Tories cannot be trusted with your money."

Councillor Mike Cox, leader of Liberal Democrat group, said: "Good councillors give up a lot of time and put in a lot of effort because they want to put something back into society.

"They don't do it to get paid. The Conservative administration has officially declared that public service in Hillingdon is dead'.

"As an employer I don't begrudge being paid well for a good job. However to award themselves 80 per cent pay increases while Hillingdon sits in the bottom quartile of performing boroughs surely smacks of an administration looking after number one first."

But Cllr Puddifoot defended his plans. He said: "Councillors' allowances are recommended by an independent body, who recommend a minimum, average and maximum. We have gone for the average, not the maximum.

"These positions in the council are positions of responsibility and some people have to give up a big part of their day job. The responsibility is tremendous."

He added: "The two Lib Dem councillors have not got responsibility so they only get a basic allowance.

"The Labour group traditionally abstain, or vote against us, but in the end they take the money anyway."