HOUNSLOW Council faces a five per cent reduction in spending next year, but has escaped the most savage cuts, it was revealed yesterday.

Civic Centre bosses must save £10.3 million next year, equivalent to 4.69 per cent of the council's annual £220.1m budget, according to figures announced by communities secretary Eric Pickles.

A further £7.6m of savings are needed in 2012/13, adding up to a cut of £18m, or 9.54 per cent, over the next two years.

Council chiefs had already announced they would need to save about £18m following the publication of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review in October.

However, more details about precisely how Hounslow would be affected emerged yesterday with a full breakdown for all local authorities.

Hounslow's cut in revenue spending power is slightly lower than the national average of 4.4 per cent, but well above the London mean of 5.26 per cent.

The worst-hit councils must slash spending by a massive 8.9 per cent next year.

Hounslow's neighbouring boroughs of Ealing and Hammersmith & Fulham face similar cuts, of 4.87 and 6.56 per cent respectively, while Richmond escapes with a relatively painless 0.61 per cent reduction.

BREAKDOWN OF FUNDING CUTS FOR HOUNSLOW

2010/11

Formula grant from government: £104.4m
Revenue spending power: £220.1m (including income from council tax and £21.7m specific grants)

2011/12

Formula grant: £90.7m
Revenue spending power: £209.8m (including £25m of specific grants)
Change in estimated revenue spending power: -£10.3m (-4.69 per cent)

2012/13

Formula grant: £81.6m
Revenue spending power: £199.1m (inc £23.3m SG)
Change in estimated revenue spending power: -£7.6m (-3.68 per cent).