Was informed that it's tough out East (5)
I believe the answer is:
heard
'was informed' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'it's tough out east' is the wordplay.
'it's tough' becomes 'hard' (associated in meaning).
'out' is an insertion indicator.
'east' becomes 'e' (synonyms).
'hard' going around 'e' is 'HEARD'.
'that' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for heard that I've seen before include "Listened to (sound)" , "Caught - picked up" , "Gathered" , "Gave ear to" , "Traditional children shouldn't be" .)