Bradford residents will see a 1.6 per cent rise in Council Tax from April after Labour-controlled Bradford Council agreed its budget tonight.

Council leader David Green told the meeting at City Hall that lasted more than two hours, the rise was needed due to substantial cuts in funding by central government.

An alternative budget, proposed by the opposition Conservative group, was rejected.

The Labour group’s budget won support from the five councillors in Bradford Independent Group at the vote which took place shortly after 6pm.