Ealing Council is proposing to give a one-off ‘Value For Money Premium’ cash handout to every home in the borough as part of a £6m plus package to fight the recession.

Under plans more than 122,000 Council Tax households in the borough will be given £50 cash back costing the council more than £6.1m. The scheme would be the biggest of its type ever run by a council in the country. If the proposal is approved, residents will be encouraged to spend the one-off windfall payment locally so that local businesses benefit too. Payments would be made by 1 December so residents have extra cash in time for the Christmas shopping period.

The cash back scheme will be accompanied by a campaign to encourage residents to shop locally so that this £6million plus cash injection should also benefit local retailers.

Council Leader, Jason Stacey, said:” We know how hard the recession has hit local people which is why I am proposing the country’s biggest ever council cash back scheme to help them during the credit crunch. Ealing Council has built up strong reserves to see us through these difficult economic times. But, it is also important to remember that this money belongs to local people so it is only right that we give back some money during the recession.”