Labour-run Bradford Council has approved a shocking 9.99% council tax hike - the biggest rise in the country. The budget, which also included millions of pounds in cuts, was approved last week and will come into effect in April, prompting calls for council leader Susan Hinchcliffe to resign. Bradford's finances have been in a precarious situation for a while now.

Last year it was granted permission by the Government to borrow money, and has already made the most of this to the tune of £127 million this year alone. This staggering sum must be paid back with interest, which will take years even with the council tax increase. Councillor Hinchcliffe said the tax hike would mean they authority, "stuck between a rock and a hard place", would not have to borrow as much money.

She said during the meeting: "Even with the 9.99% increase, council tax in Bradford will still be lower than the national average for a council of our size.

"If we increase council tax by around £2 or £3 pounds a week we can reduce borrowing over the next 20 years by £111m.

"As for the opposition parties, if you were truthful you'd admit there is no other way forward. If you vote against this you don't have the guts to tell the truth to the people you represent.

"Hard pressed families need council services, and without the extra income those services won't be there."

The council tax increase was voted in by every Labour councillor except Joe Wheatley, who went against his party's budget.

The proposal was extremely controversial, with residents in the public gallery shouting "shame" and calling for Councillor Hinchcliffe to resign during the meeting.

Security intervened after warnings to shop shouting were ignored, causing the meeting to be paused for half an hour while police arrived and forced protestors to leave with a dispersal order.