Hounslow Council’s leader says he’ll need to set a “tough” budget for the year ahead.

Shantanu Rajawat’s statement is in response to the proposed funding deal for authorities announced by the Government on Monday.

The deal is calculated on the assumption that London Boroughs will put up council tax by a maximum of 4.99%.

Mr Rajawat says if the proposal goes ahead, council tax will have to be put up or the authority will face a significant budget shortfall.