HARLOW is to receive a funding boost with the announcement that the town's government grant is to rise by 10.6 per cent.

In addition, the standard spending assessment the figure which the government decides Harlow needs to maintain basic services has risen by 6.2 per cent, one of the highest increases in the country.

Harlow MP Bill Rammell welcomed both increases, saying they represented a recognition that new towns like Harlow had real needs.

"This does not lead to any conclusions about the level of council tax, which is a matter for local councillors. I'm sure Labour councillors will continue to adopt a prudent approach to spending public money.

"There has been a lot of doom and gloom spread about this year's local government financial settlement. In particular, it was suggested that the south east of England might lose part of its area cost adjustment which provides extra money to reflect the higher costs in the south east.

"I am delighted the government has not taken the area cost money away. Ever since I was elected, I have lobbied ministers to give extra support for Harlow, and will continue to do so."

Council leader Alan Jones commented: "In hard cash terms, our Standard Spending Assessment has gone up from £9.47 million to £10.06 million this year. Now we have this information, we can begin to work on important decisions, such as our level of service delivery and the level of the council tax for next year."