HAMPSHIRE civic chiefs have approved an inflation-busting rise in council tax.

The council claims the increase will be one of the lowest in the country - while at the same time investing over £500 million into infrastructure and local economy.

The 4.99 per cent council tax increase for 2017/18, approved at the meeting of the full county council yesterday, equates to a total of £1,133.10 for the year - roughly an extra £1 per week for the average Band D household.

Some three per cent of the increase is authorised by the government to pay for increased funding of social care.

Council leader Roy Perry said: “Since the start of national austerity measures, we have worked diligently to stretch every penny - delivering savings, reinvesting in new, more efficient ways of working, making prudent use of our reserves, and delivering more with less.

"Residents have told us they support this approach, and it has proven effective - as by April this year, we will have delivered £340 million in savings since 2008.

"We have fewer buildings, fewer staff and are making greater use of new technology."

He said the county faced an "extremely difficult period ahead" with a further £140 million funding gap by 2019.