Category: Press Releases

  • HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Gordon Brown highlights measures to boost business in the East Midlands [February 2005]

    HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Gordon Brown highlights measures to boost business in the East Midlands [February 2005]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 2 February 2005.

    The Chancellor of the Exchequer – Gordon Brown – today used a speech at the Deputy Prime Minister’s Delivering Sustainable Communities Summit in Manchester to highlight the Government’s £1 billion Local Authority Business Growth Incentives scheme.

    Starting in April 2005 the scheme – which could mean up to £60m for the East Midlands alone – will allow local authorities to receive a proportion of increases in local business rate revenues to spend on their own priorities. It builds on the success of the New Deal, the Child Tax Credit and the Pension Credit. In the East Midlands, 113,020 people were helped into work through the New Deal, 355,000 working families benefit from Child Tax Credit and 189,000 pensioner households are receiving Pension Credit.

    Speaking at the summit, the Chancellor said:

    “Because all their business rates income went to central government, in the past local authorities had no direct financial incentive to encourage new business creation. Now under our Business Growth Incentive scheme local authorities keep a proportion of the additional business rate income generated by new business creation.

    “Based on historical data we estimate that in total as a result of this measure local authorities could gain up to £1 billion over the next three years – a further incentive to encourage local indigenous business creation”.

    And a boost for business in every town, city and region – every community across the country benefiting from more business and more jobs.”

  • HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Gordon Brown highlights measures to boost business In the East of England [February 2005]

    HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Gordon Brown highlights measures to boost business In the East of England [February 2005]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 2 February 2005.

    The Chancellor of the Exchequer – Gordon Brown – today used a speech at the Deputy Prime Minister’s Delivering Sustainable Communities Summit in Manchester to highlight the Government’s £1 billion Local Authority Business Growth Incentives scheme.

    Starting in April 2005 the scheme – which could mean up to £80m for the East of England alone – will allow local authorities to receive a proportion of increases in local business rate revenues to spend on their own priorities. It builds on the success of the New Deal, the Child Tax Credit and the Pension Credit. In the East of England, 107,750 people were helped into work through the New Deal, 398,000 working families benefit from Child Tax Credit and 213,000  pensioner households are receiving Pension Credit.

    Speaking at the summit, the Chancellor said:

    “Because all their business rates income went to central government, in the past local authorities had no direct financial incentive to encourage new business creation. Now under our Business Growth Incentive scheme local authorities keep a proportion of the additional business rate income generated by new business creation.

    “Based on historical data we estimate that in total as a result of this measure local authorities could gain up to £1 billion over the next three years – a further incentive to encourage local indigenous business creation.

    “And a boost for business in every town, city and region – every community across the country benefiting from more business and more jobs.”

  • HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Gordon Brown highlights measures to boost business in London [February 2005]

    HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Gordon Brown highlights measures to boost business in London [February 2005]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 2 February 2005.

    The Chancellor of the Exchequer – Gordon Brown – today used a speech at the Deputy Prime Minister’s Delivering Sustainable Communities Summit in Manchester to highlight the Government’s £1 billion Local Authority Business Growth Incentives scheme.

    Starting in April 2005 the scheme – which could mean up to £150m for London alone – will allow local authorities to receive a proportion of increases in local business rate revenues to spend on their own priorities. It builds on the success of the New Deal, the Child Tax Credit and the Pension Credit. In London, 274,000 people were helped into work through the New Deal, 392,000 working families benefit from Child Tax Credit and 278,000 pensioner households are receiving Pension Credit.

    Speaking at the summit, the Chancellor said:

    “Because all their business rates income went to central government, in the past local authorities had no direct financial incentive to encourage new business creation. Now under our Business Growth Incentive scheme local authorities keep a proportion of the additional business rate income generated by new business creation.

    “Based on historical data we estimate that in total as a result of this measure local authorities could gain up to £1 billion over the next three years – a further incentive to encourage local indigenous business creation.

    “And a boost for business in every town, city and region – every community across the country benefiting from more business and more jobs.”

  • HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Gordon Brown highlights measures to boost business in North East of England [February 2005]

    HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Gordon Brown highlights measures to boost business in North East of England [February 2005]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 2 February 2005.

    The Chancellor of the Exchequer – Gordon Brown – today used a speech at the Deputy Prime Minister’s Delivering Sustainable Communities Summit in Manchester to highlight the Government’s £1 billion Local Authority Business Growth Incentives scheme.

    Starting in April 2005 the scheme – which could mean up to £50m for the North East alone – will allow local authorities to receive a proportion of increases in local business rate revenues to spend on their own priorities. It builds on the success of the New Deal, the Child Tax Credit and the Pension Credit. In the North East of England, 133,190 people were helped into work through the New Deal, 222,000 working families benefit from Child Tax Credit and 155,000 pensioner households are receiving Pension Credit.

    Speaking at the summit, the Chancellor said:

    “Because all their business rates income went to central government, in the past local authorities had no direct financial incentive to encourage new business creation. Now under our Business Growth Incentive scheme local authorities keep a proportion of the additional business rate income generated by new business creation.

    “Based on historical data we estimate that in total as a result of this measure local authorities could gain up to £1 billion over the next three years – a further incentive to encourage local indigenous business creation.

    “And a boost for business in every town, city and region – every community across the country benefiting from more business and more jobs.”

  • HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Gordon Brown highlights measures to boost business in North West of England [February 2005]

    HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Gordon Brown highlights measures to boost business in North West of England [February 2005]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 2 February 2005.

    The Chancellor of the Exchequer – Gordon Brown – today used a speech at the Deputy Prime Minister’s Delivering Sustainable Communities Summit in Manchester to highlight the Government’s £1 billion Local Authority Business Growth Incentives scheme.

    Starting in April 2005 the scheme – which could mean up to £130m for the North West alone – will allow local authorities to receive a proportion of increases in local business rate revenues to spend on their own priorities. It builds on the success of the New Deal, the Child Tax Credit and the Pension Credit. In the North West of England, 238,810 people were helped into work through the New Deal, 561,000 working families benefit from Child Tax Credit and 349,000 pensioner households are receiving Pension Credit.

    Speaking at the summit, the Chancellor said:

    “Because all their business rates income went to central government, in the past local authorities had no direct financial incentive to encourage new business creation. Now under our Business Growth Incentive scheme local authorities keep a proportion of the additional business rate income generated by new business creation.

    “Based on historical data we estimate that in total as a result of this measure local authorities could gain up to £1 billion over the next three years – a further incentive to encourage local indigenous business creation.

    “And a boost for business in every town, city and region – every community across the country benefiting from more business and more jobs.”

  • HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Gordon Brown highlights measures to boost business in South East of England [February 2005]

    HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Gordon Brown highlights measures to boost business in South East of England [February 2005]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 2 February 2005.

    The Chancellor of the Exchequer – Gordon Brown – today used a speech at the Deputy Prime Minister’s Delivering Sustainable Communities Summit in Manchester to highlight the Government’s £1 billion Local Authority Business Growth Incentives scheme.

    Starting in April 2005 the scheme – which could mean up to £110m for the South East alone – will allow local authorities to receive a proportion of increases in local business rate revenues to spend on their own priorities. It builds on the success of the New Deal, the Child Tax Credit and the Pension Credit. In the South East of England, 131,810 people were helped into work through the New Deal, 544,000 working families benefit from Child Tax Credit and 270,000 pensioner households are receiving Pension Credit.

    Speaking at the summit, the Chancellor said:

    “Because all their business rates income went to central government, in the past local authorities had no direct financial incentive to encourage new business creation. Now under our Business Growth Incentive scheme local authorities keep a proportion of the additional business rate income generated by new business creation.

    “Based on historical data we estimate that in total as a result of this measure local authorities could gain up to £1 billion over the next three years – a further incentive to encourage local indigenous business creation.

    “And a boost for business in every town, city and region – every community across the country benefiting from more business and more jobs.”

  • HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Gordon Brown highlights measures to boost business in South West of England [February 2005]

    HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Gordon Brown highlights measures to boost business in South West of England [February 2005]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 2 February 2005.

    The Chancellor of the Exchequer – Gordon Brown – today used a speech at the Deputy Prime Minister’s Delivering Sustainable Communities Summit in Manchester to highlight the Government’s £1 billion Local Authority Business Growth Incentives scheme.

    Starting in April 2005 the scheme – which could mean up to £85m for the South West alone – will allow local authorities to receive a proportion of increases in local business rate revenues to spend on their own priorities. It builds on the success of the New Deal, the Child Tax Credit and the Pension Credit. In the South West of England, 119,400 people were helped into work through the New Deal, 392,000 working families benefit from Child Tax Credit and 217,000 pensioner households are receiving Pension Credit.

    Speaking at the summit, the Chancellor said:

    “Because all their business rates income went to central government, in the past local authorities had no direct financial incentive to encourage new business creation. Now under our Business Growth Incentive scheme local authorities keep a proportion of the additional business rate income generated by new business creation.

    “Based on historical data we estimate that in total as a result of this measure local authorities could gain up to £1 billion over the next three years – a further incentive to encourage local indigenous business creation.

    “And a boost for business in every town, city and region – every community across the country benefiting from more business and more jobs.”

  • HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Gordon Brown highlights measures to boost business in West Midlands [February 2005]

    HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Gordon Brown highlights measures to boost business in West Midlands [February 2005]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 2 February 2005.

    The Chancellor of the Exchequer – Gordon Brown – today used a speech at the Deputy Prime Minister’s Delivering Sustainable Communities Summit in Manchester to highlight the Government’s £1 billion Local Authority Business Growth Incentives scheme.

    Starting in April 2005 the scheme – which could mean up to £150m for the West Midlands alone – will allow local authorities to receive a proportion of increases in local business rate revenues to spend on their own priorities. It builds on the success of the New Deal, the Child Tax Credit and the Pension Credit. In the West Midlands, 173,650 people were helped into work through the New Deal, 428,000 working families benefit from Child Tax Credit and 271,000 pensioner households are receiving Pension Credit.

    Speaking at the summit, the Chancellor said:

    “Because all their business rates income went to central government, in the past local authorities had no direct financial incentive to encourage new business creation. Now under our Business Growth Incentive scheme local authorities keep a proportion of the additional business rate income generated by new business creation.

    “Based on historical data we estimate that in total as a result of this measure local authorities could gain up to £1 billion over the next three years – a further incentive to encourage local indigenous business creation.

    “And a boost for business in every town, city and region – every community across the country benefiting from more business and more jobs.”

  • HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Gordon Brown highlights measures to boost business in Yorkshire and the Humber [February 2005]

    HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Gordon Brown highlights measures to boost business in Yorkshire and the Humber [February 2005]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 2 February 2005.

    The Chancellor of the Exchequer – Gordon Brown – today used a speech at the Deputy Prime Minister’s Delivering Sustainable Communities Summit in Manchester to highlight the Government’s £1 billion Local Authority Business Growth Incentives scheme.

    Starting in April 2005 the scheme – which could mean up to £120m for Yorkshire and the Humber alone – will allow local authorities to receive a proportion of increases in local business rate revenues to spend on their own priorities. It builds on the success of the New Deal, the Child Tax Credit and the Pension Credit. In Yorkshire and the Humber, 198,870 people were helped into work through the New Deal, 424,000 working families benefit from Child Tax Credit and 253,000 pensioner households are receiving Pension Credit.

    Speaking at the summit, the Chancellor said:

    “Because all their business rates income went to central government, in the past local authorities had no direct financial incentive to encourage new business creation. Now under our Business Growth Incentive scheme local authorities keep a proportion of the additional business rate income generated by new business creation.

    “Based on historical data we estimate that in total as a result of this measure local authorities could gain up to £1 billion over the next three years – a further incentive to encourage local indigenous business creation.

    “And a boost for business in every town, city and region – every community across the country benefiting from more business and more jobs.”

  • HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Paul Boateng promotes employment, skills and government initiatives for families and children in Kent [February 2005]

    HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Paul Boateng promotes employment, skills and government initiatives for families and children in Kent [February 2005]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 3 February 2005.

    Increasing employment opportunities and boosting skills is essential for regional economic growth and productivity, the Chief Secretary of the Treasury – the Rt Hon Paul Boateng – outlined today in a visit to Kent.

    Mr Boateng met with the business community in Gravesend to discuss skills and the new National Employer Training Programme which will offer a package of support to help those in work but with lower skills obtain basic skills or level 2 qualifications. The Programme will build on regional training pilots  – one of which began recruiting in 2003 in Kent and Medway – to encourage employers all over the country to train their low skilled workers.

    Mr Boateng said:

    “We recognise that there is an important regional dimension to our skills agenda and that there is a need for flexibility at the local level to innovate – responding to local conditions. Building on programmes such as the Kent and Medway pilot, the National Employer Training Programme will be providing free and flexibly delivered training for NVQ Level qualifications for low skilled adults across every region in the South East.”

    Mr Boateng also visited the Holy Family Church Sure Start in Gravesend, and had the chance to discuss with parents and families their Sure Start project and other Government initiatives in the area to support families and children.

    Investment in high quality childcare and children’s services is vital to eliminate child poverty, help parents into employment and protect children from harm and improve child outcomes. The Sure Start Centre in Gravesend is one of 9 in Kent and caters for 850 children, and focuses on improving social and emotional development, health, children’s ability to learn, and strengthening families and communities.

    Choice for parents, the best start for children: a ten year strategy for childcare published with the Pre-Budget Report builds on the success of Sure Start and announces:

    • all families with children aged up to 14 who need it will have an affordable, flexible, high quality childcare place that meets their circumstances;
    • every family will have easy access to integrated services through Sure Start Children’s Centres in their local community. 2,500 Children’s Centres will be in place by 2008 and 3,500 by 2010 ensuring a Children’s Centre for every community; and
    • a goal of 20 hours free high quality care a week for 38 weeks for all three and four year olds;

    Paul Boateng said:

    “Sure Start has delivered over 500 local sure start programmes to date, providing a range of early years, parenting and family support to children and families. The excellent results seen in Gravesend from this Sure Start are yet another example of why this is being rolled out nationwide.

    “In addition many of the families I have met today will be benefiting from the Child Trust Fund payment – with an initial voucher worth £250 to ensure that at age 18 all children, no matter what their background, will have some wealth from which to plan their future”.