Hounslow Council's 2021/22 budget was last night approved which will mean an increase in Council Tax of 4.99%

It means a rise of £5.30 a month, £63.62 a year, for a Band D property.

Three per cent is ring-fenced to protect adult social care – an increase requested by the government – and 1.99 per cent is a general increase reflecting the impact of inflation on the council's costs.

The council says the budget will help it protect frontline services and aid the recovery from the pandemic.

Cllr Shantanu Rajawat, Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services, said: "I am very pleased that our budget proposals for the coming financial year have been approved.

"We can now focus on helping the recovery of our borough from the effects of the pandemic, invest in re-skilling and supporting residents back into work and to invest in support for young people through apprenticeships and other work.

"This budget will help us to continue to protect key services whilst delivering on our ambitions to become a fairer, greener and stronger borough.

"Our residents and businesses are at the heart of what we do and we are working hard to ensure we build back better.

"I would urge you to shop local, use local traders and employ local people to support the local economy over the next few months."

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