The expertise of Jason Stacey comes at a bargain price when compared to other council leaders in London - at least according to loyal transport spokesman Phil Taylor.

A list this week revealed that Mr Stacey's annual allowance of £39,960 makes him the eighth cheapest of the 32 borough leaders.

His whack lags far behind the heads of three other councils, who each earn around £75,000.

Councillor Taylor said: "From this table it does look like the three Labour mayors of Newham, Lewisham and

Hackney look after themselves very well. Our leader, Jason Stacey, is a bargain. He gave up a very good job to become a full time leader.

"You only have to look at some of the timestamps on his emails to know what kind of hours he works.

"On top of the long hours he is actually a real star.

"£40k really is a steal."

Ordinary Ealing councillors are even better value at just £9,252 a year, it seems.

Only five other boroughs have managed to employ lower cost politicians.

But despite the clear value for money, Mr Taylor obviously still wrestles with guilt about receiving cash from the public purse.

He said: "These allowances are a big expense for any council and I personally am a bit conflicted about them.

"I have done a lot of volunteering in my time and I would still be a councillor if there were no allowances.

"The allowances are taxable and councillors claim no expenses as a rule.

"Every time they drive anywhere on council business, park, use an envelope, put a stamp on it, the cash comes out of this taxable allowance.

"It doesn't use it all up but by the time you have paid tax and expenses you don't have much cash to show for it."

Pity the poor councillors of neighbouring , who apparently have to make do with £6,193 a year - more than £2,000 less than elected members anywhere else in London.