EALING'S council tax will rise by 1.9 per cent this year, less than the rate of inflation.

It is the lowest increase in 12 years, and is the first budget set by the Conservatives since they swept to power last May.

It means that a council tax bill for a band D house will rise to 1,334.30 - up by £24.88.

However the final total will be higher after the Mayor of London adds his precept, which is expected to be about five per cent.

Cllr David Scott, responsible for the budget, said that with inflation at a whopping 4.2 per cent, the rise was a cut in real terms.

He said: "This represents the smallest increase since 1994 - the last time a council tax was set by a Conservative council."

The news comes after the borough's leadership announced savings of more than £17m since last May, £1.5million more than its original target.

Cllr Scott said there was still the issue of a legacy of an extra £3.1million of debt which had created "real pressure" in trying to keep the rise to a minimum.

"This is because of the mismanagement of the previous administration and the disaster of the failed Response programme," he said.

The council tax rise makes Ealing the fourth lowest increase in London, with the final figure being confirmed at a council meeting in March.