HOUNSLOW Council has doubled the self-isolation payment for local residents from £500 to £1,000.

Residents who 'Stepped Up For Hounslow' during the borough's surge status period - which ended yesterday - can benefit from a higher test and trace self-isolation payment if they are on a low income and need to self-isolate but can't work from home.

Hounslow residents contacted by NHS Test and Trace, or by the Council during the surge period, may be eligible for payments up to £1,000.

The payments are for those who have had to self-isolate during the surge status period, which lasted from May 23 until June 21.

All PCR tests must be returned within the next two weeks to claim the higher payment, which can be claimed for up to six weeks after any self-isolation is required.