Lewisham bill payers are being forced to pay more council tax for the third consecutive year amid financial strains.

A council tax hike of 4.2 per cent is recommended by the Mayor of London during a 2018/19 budget update.

This is expected to be giving the green light at a council meeting on Wednesday (February 21).

Sadiq Khan has recommended for Lewisham Council to agree a Band D council tax of £1,203.87.

Lewisham Council's share of the bill would rise 3.99 per cent - including a one per cent social care precept - and the Greater London Authority element would rise 5.1 per cent (another £14.21 a year for a Band D property).

Lewisham Council has had its funding cut by 63 per cent between 2010-2020, according to Lewisham Mayor Steve Bullock.

Councillor for Blackheath Kevin Bonavia told News Shopper that the tax hike was to protect the most vulnerable in Lewisham.

He said: "The obvious reason for this is that our budget has been squeezed massively from central government and we have huge pressures from social care.

"The only option we were given was to increase tax."

Mr Bonavia said Lewisham Council had to increase council tax to prevent services from going under. He also promised that care leavers would be protected from council tax hikes.

However, Lewisham Mayor candidate Ross Archer said the council tax was too high.

Mr Archer told News Shopper: "We have the highest council tax in inner London. In similar authorities like Wandsworth and Southwark - they have lower taxes but are building more homes, they have better schools and better services.

"Why is Lewisham an exception?"

He added that many have come to expect a council tax hike every year, but he said if he was elected as Mayor he would freeze the increase for two years.

Mr Archer said he understood the pressures of budget cuts, but argued finances could be managed more prudently rather than spending "so much" money on things like the Millwall Enquiry.

How is council tax calculated?

How much council tax you pay is based on your valuation band, with Band D being the average home.

The total you pay is divided between:

Lewisham Council (for council services)

An adult social care precept

Greater London Authority (for services such as the fire brigade, Met Police and TfL)