内容摘要：One problem for investors is working out whether the recent record price for gold was simply a staging point in a continued upward climb – to more than $4,000 for example – or the peak.

One problem for investors is working out whether the recent record price for gold was simply a staging point in a continued upward climb – to more than $4,000 for example – or the peak.

Slough Borough Council was told by the government in December it could exceed the council tax cap of 5% for 2024-25.But Conservative council leader Dexter Smith said he would resist this after, last year, the then Labour-run authority

Mr Smith has now said the "challenging" financial position the council was in left him no choice but to opt for the higher figure.The final decision on the council tax rise will be made at the end of March, and the change would come info effect from April.The council was one of several that has declared itself effectively bankrupt with a section 114 notice.

Last year, the authorityin an attempt to balance its books, after it was given permission by the government.

Mr Smith previously said the next council tax rise would not exceed the cap of 4.99% - something he

"We think it is still reasonable and viable for us to maintain our budget commitment and promise to the electorate that we'd keep the council tax to 4.99%," he told cabinet members on 18 December.The properties on either side of where the fire is believed to have started have also been made uninhabitable.

Romany Mason, who lived next door, said she hoped "it had been a dream"."Walking round the corner this morning and seeing the house, I cried my eyes out. I just can't stop crying," she said.

Ms Mason hoped the housing association would be able to find her family somewhere to live but at the moment she planned to stay in a hotel."We're struggling," she added.