John Phillips UP to 900 council staff are set to lose their car allowances in a �1.5million cost-cutting drive. Only front line staff driving to multiple locations and dealing with the public on a daily basis will retain the benefit after April. Unison acknowledged the

John Phillips

UP to 900 council staff are set to lose their car allowances in a �1.5million cost-cutting drive.

Only front line staff driving to multiple locations and dealing with the public on a daily basis will retain the benefit after April.

Unison acknowledged the scrapping of the 34-36p per mile payments would be hurtful, but mitigated by the economic climate.

Council chief executive Rob Whiteman - a casualty of the cost-cutting measure - hailed the car allowance review set to save �300,000 this year, �550,000 next year and �650,000 in 2011/2012.

He said: "The residents of Barking and Dagenham rightfully expect the council to tighten its belt and look at every way possible to ensure we are spending their council tax payments wisely and efficiently."

Mr Whiteman added the changeover would encourage more environmentally friendly ways of travelling to work, including cycling and public transport.