Councils spending £4.5 million on cars for mayors

The TaxPayers’ Alliance has revealed that local authorities have spent £4,513,607 on cars for mayors, lord mayors, lord provosts and and their equivalents since 2015.

The research claims that millions could be saved by encouraging local politicians to save money when attending events by using their own methods of transport, public transport or at the very least to stop buying luxury cars.

The freedom of information request shows that 207 local authorities spent £4,513,607 on vehicles, averaging at £21,804. In addition, local authorities spent £2,745,097 on buying and leasing cars over the three-year period and at 252 cars are owned or leased by local authorities across the UK for the use of the mayor.

The think tank also reveals that nine councils spent taxpayers’ money on personalised number plates, whilst others purchased them many years ago.

John O'Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “Taxpayers are tired of hearing local authorities say they have no money left when there are still instances of excessive spending. Some travel will of course be necessary to conduct duties but families who struggle to pay their council tax bill will roll their eyes at the thought of their hard-earned money being spent on Bentleys and Jaguars for politicians to attend functions.

“40 per cent of councils didn't lease or buy cars, so all other local authorities should follow that example and encourage civic leaders to use cheaper forms of transport. Every penny wasted on excessive travel expenses is money that could be going towards social care or bin collections."