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NOTIFICATION OF TRANSACTIONS OF DIRECTORS/PERSONS DISCHARGING MANAGERIAL
RESPONSIBILITY AND CONNECTED PERSONS

1. Name of Issuer

BlackRock Income Strategies Trust plc

2. State whether the notification relates to (i) a transaction notified in
accordance with DR 3.1.2R; or (ii) a disclosure made in accordance with LR
9.8.6R(1); or a disclosure made in accordance with section 793 of the Companies
Act 2006.

Disclosure in accordance with (i) above

3. Name of person discharging managerial responsibilities/director.

James Long

4. State whether notification relates to a person connected with a person
discharging managerial responsibilities/director named in 3 and identify the
connected persons.

Notification re Director named in 3

5. Indicate whether the notification is in respect of a holding of the person
referred to in 3 or 4 above or in respect of a non-beneficial interest.

Holding of the Director referred to in 3

6. Description of shares (including class), debentures or derivatives or
financial instruments relating to shares.

Ordinary shares of 25p each

7. Name of registered shareholder(s) and, if more than one, the number of
shares held by each of them.

James Long

8. State the nature of the transaction.

Acquisition of ordinary shares

9. Number of shares, debentures or financial instruments relating to shares
acquired

8,359 Ordinary shares

10. Percentage of issued class acquired (treasury shares or that class should
not be taken into account when calculation percentage).

0.0029%

11. Number of shares, debentures or financial instruments relating to shares
disposed.

n/a

12. Percentage of issued class disposed (treasury shares or that class should
not be taken into account when calculation percentage).

n/a

13. Price per share or value of transaction.

£1.3375

14. Date and place of transaction.

13 March 2015, London

15. Total holding following notification and total percentage holding following
notification (any treasury shares should not be taken into account when
calculating percentage).

25,058 (0.0087%)

16. Date issuer informed of transaction.

13 March 2015

17. Date of grant.

N/A

18. Period during which or date on which it can be exercised.

N/A

19. Total amount paid (if any) for grant of the option.

N/A

20. Description of shares or debentures involved (class and number).

N/A

21. Exercise price (if fixed at time of grant) or indication that price is to
be fixed at the time of the exercise.

N/A

22. Total number of shares or debentures over which option held following
notification.

N/A

23. Any additional information.

N/A

24. Name of contact and telephone number for queries.

Ms S Beynsberger
Company Secretary
BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited
Tel: 0207 743 2639

Date: 13 March 2015