The political conference season is over, which for most people will be a blessed relief. But with the economy struggling and unemployment rising, the need for a change is growing.


The economy is critical and that's why at the Conference, Conservatives outlined how they will aim to tackle the mess we're in.

There are a number of key pledges for council tax payers, business, first time buyers and pensioners:

• - freeze council tax for two years
• - introduce a £50bn National Loan Guarantee Scheme to underwrite bank lending to businesses and get credit flowing again
• - provide tax cuts for new jobs with a £2.6bn package of tax breaks to get people into work
• - abolish Stamp Duty for nine out of ten first-time buyers
• - raise the Inheritance Tax threshold to £1 million
• - cut the main rate of corporation tax to 25p and the small companies' rate to 20p

Policies like these will have a positive impact not just nationally but on the people and businesses in Chiswick, Brentford, Isleworth, Osterley & Hounslow and I'd urge you to find out more about our economic plans by clicking on the link below.


http://www.conservatives.com/Policy/Where_we_stand/Economy.aspx

Local Labour call for Council Tax cuts

I have heard through the grapevine that a leaflet is being delivered locally by the Labour Party which says "Ann Keen says cut the Council Tax". If this is true... I can hardly believe it!

Is this the same Labour Party who had control of Hounslow Council for over thirty years and did not cut Council Tax?

Is this the same Labour Party who have been eating into our reserves for the last ten years and taken us so much into so much debt as a country that we have nothing left for a rainy day?

Incredible! Do they think the public is so stupid not to see through their pathetic political headlines?

Let them practice what they preach first.

MPC try and stimulate the economy

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) today has lowered the Bank Rate by 25bps to 5%.

The tensions in the UK money markets combined with evidence of a sharper deceleration in the housing market has spurred the MPC into action. Still, compared to the US who have had several interest rate cuts, 5% is not being overly accommodative. I think there will be another cut or two before the year is out to encourage and support the economy.

We are heading for a difficult year ahead in the economy and people are right to feel nervous. Anything that the Government can do to relieve us of any additional taxation would be good. Thank goodness the London Borough of Hounslow have tightened up for yet another year to give residents value for money and unlike many other Councils, have not increased the Council Tax.

They have done it again! O% Council Tax Increase

Congatulations to Hounslow Council, who this week agreed to once again freeze its share of the Council Tax. Another zero% tax increase!

Hounslow has now moved from charging the 5th highest council tax in London, to the 11th highest. This is definitely heading in the right direction.

Council Leader Peter Thompson said, "Since council tax was introduced in 1993, the average bill in Hounslow has more than doubled. This has particularly hit residents with low to moderate fixed incomes, such as pensioners, who have struggled to meet continual rises. This year has been particularly difficult for us. Most of what we spend comes from Government and we received the worst settlement for a decade. The below inflation settlement unfairly penalises both the council and local residents. We have had to take some tough decisions about to how spend residents money, and we have made savings by identifying where we can do things differently or more efficiently. We have also increased our investment in services that local people have told us matter to them without dipping into our reserves. We are also putting aside £5 million for essential growth over the year."

Well done to all the Councillors, especially Cllr Peter Thompson and Cllr Gerald McGregor, who have worked tirelessly to deliver a budget that is right for the Borough. Thanks also to the rest of the Councillors who work hard to make sure that locally, residents get the services they need. This has been achieved, whilst still managing to ncrease the efficiency and performance of the Council. No easy task!