Morning:
12°c
A London council is to hand out £6million to residents as part of a plan to fight the recession.
Ealing wants its council tax payers, some 122,000 households, to spend the one-off £50 handout locally so that businesses in the borough benefit.
It is hoped residents will have the extra cash in time for the Christmas shopping period.
As part of the "recession-busting" scheme, the biggest of its type run by any council, car park charges at weekends will also be scrapped to encourage shoppers.
Council leader Jason Stacey said the £6.1million needed for the scheme was available due to savings made over the past year.
Even those who had fallen behind paying council tax would receive the £50.
"Ealing council has built up strong reserves," Mr Stacey said. "But it is important to remember this money belongs to local people.
"It is only right we give back during the recession."
