Boris Johnson's handover team costs £465,000

The Mayor's transition team at City Hall is costing up to £465,000, it emerged today.

He had refused to declare how much his temporary staff - including acting chief-of-staff Nick Boles - were being paid by the GLA.

In a written answer, Boris Johnson said: "There are currently a number of consultants who are being paid to support the transition process but it is not intended that the fees for these individuals will be made public."

However, the figure came to light after it was published in a report to the London Assembly business management and administration committee.

It works out at more than £30,000 for each member of the 15-strong team, several of whom have worked for Mr Johnson's administration for one month only having previously worked for Tory central office.

Labour Assembly member John Biggs said: "The Mayor made a great play of being open and transparent from day one but this is the latest incident to cast real doubt on this promise.

"London taxpayers deserve to know how much they are forking out for Boris Johnson's team of advisers and on what basis they have been employed.

"All the Mayor has revealed so far is that his Tory consultants are costing Londoners almost half a million pounds. I'm not sure how this represents taxpayer value for money."

A spokesman for Mr Johnson said: "We have budgeted for a maximum of £465,000 over six months. We do not envisage all of these consultants being here for six months, some will become permanent members of staff and some will leave."