Responding to yesterday's Budget, Cllr Shantanu Rajawat, Leader of Hounslow Council, said:
"The Council welcomes the Government’s renewed commitment to long term public investment announced in yesterday’s Budget. With protected capital spending and fresh support for major programmes such as the Youth Guarantee and Growth & Skills Levy, the Budget offers a real chance to deliver infrastructure, housing and regeneration where it is needed in London.
"We are cautiously optimistic that the proposed reforms to local government funding will finally recognise the scale of children’s deprivation, housing poverty and demand pressures across our borough. For too long, London has borne the brunt of structural under investment, and we hope this Budget marks a turning point.
"At the same time, the tax and savings reforms announced will have mixed impacts. We acknowledge the Government’s approach to making the tax system more progressive, notably aligning asset income tax with employment income, but we are mindful that rising costs for savers, landlords and households under pressure might create challenges for parts of our community.
"We stand ready to work in partnership with Government, business and the community to channel new resources into delivering homes, jobs and services. We also urge the Chancellor to ensure investment reaches outer London, including support for transformative and deliverable transport projects such as the West London Orbital that would unlock housing, growth and stronger connectivity across the region.
"We look forward to seeing how commitments such as increased investment in youth services, skills and community infrastructure are translated into real benefit on the ground and we will continue to press for fairness, inclusion and lasting value for all residents."
