Tower Hamlets Council has unveiled new proposals to help up to 100 women over 25 into jobs in the health sector.

The announcement was made as part of a package of budget proposals by Mayor Rahman ahead of discussion at full council in February 2014.

Explaining the background to the proposal Mayor Lutfur Rahman said: “Now that the government is following our lead by funding free school meals for infants, we’ve chosen to invest the cash freed up in a project that will deliver health services and improve the skills and employability of women over 25 in our community.”

The proposals follow the government’s spending settlement for all councils announced late in December 2013. It confirms that councils will continue to face austerity measures however for 2014-15 Tower Hamlets council says it has anticipated the current funding pressures and proposed a balanced budget.

Mayor Rahman said: “By adopting a prudent approach to council spending we have managed to absorb a 24 per cent reduction in our grant from government through efficiency measures while at the same time protecting key services and supporting our most vulnerable residents.”

The budget proposals include measures to freeze council tax for the fifth year running while continuing to fund key policy areas such as the Mayor’s Higher Education Awards, support to those affected by the government’s welfare reforms and the voluntary sector.

Following cabinet agreement of the budget the proposals will be discussed by the Scrutiny Committee before coming back to cabinet in early February and the final submission of budget proposals to full council on February 26.

Residents will have an opportunity to give their views on the proposals on January 21 and 27 at Whitechapel and Chrisp Street Idea stores respectively.