The leader of Merton Council has said he will be pushing for council tax to be frozen for a third year.

Responding to news the government would be supporting local authorities with a £450m subsidy package to encourage them to freeze council tax for a third year Councillor Stephen Alambritis said he had a "penchant" to freeze council tax but would be considering the options carefully.

He said: "Knowing the current state of finance for our residents we will look closely at continuing with the freeze for our residents - that will be after consultation with councillors and residents."

Councillor Suzanne Grocott, Conservative finance spokesman, said: "This council tax freeze would save the average family up to £72, and that is on top of the £148 already saved over the last two years, so I very much hope that Labour will put politics aside and embrace the Government’s offer." 

Nothing will be decided until the budget is approved in December.