Over 122,000 taxpayers will be given £50 from Ealing Council after councillors agreed a £6million plus package to fight the recession.

The one-off payment will be given to council tax paying households in the borough of Ealing and is the biggest scheme of its type ever run by a council in the country.

Payments will be made by 1 December to give people extra cash in time for the Christmas shopping period.

Residents will be encouraged to spend the one-off windfall payment in the borough so that local businesses benefit too.

The council will give people free parking in all of its car parks each weekend throughout December to encourage local spending.

It will also be asking local businesses to give residents special discounts to boost trade.

Council Leader, Jason Stacey, said: "We know how hard the recession has hit local people which is why we will be giving cash back to every household in the borough, making this the country’s biggest ever scheme."

"Ealing Council has built up strong reserves to see us through these difficult economic times. But, it is also important to remember that this money belongs to local people so it is only right that we give back some money during the recession."

The scheme benefits those on the lowest incomes the most as the payment is fixed regardless of the household’s Council Tax bill.