![HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : New Head of Communications and Strategy Team appointed – Damian McBride [July 2003]](https://www.ukpol.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/hmtreasury-150x150.png)
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 21 July 2003.
Damian McBride, currently Head of VAT Strategy at Customs and Excise, has been appointed as Head of Communications and Strategy at HM Treasury. He will take up post in September 2003.
Damian McBride has previously held posts at HM Treasury and Customs and Excise. He replaces Michael Ellam who took up post in July 2000.
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 22 July 2003.
Speaking to the US Council of Foreign Relations Transatlantic Taskforce in New York, the Chancellor said:
“The transatlantic relationship now accounts for up to $2.5 trillion of commercial transactions every year, including $500 billion of foreign trade, and provides employment to over 12 million people. One fifth of total US merchandise exports and one third of total US services exports now go to the EU. In the 1990s, US firms ploughed nearly twice as much capital into the Netherlands than into Mexico. Corporate America’s foreign assets located in Germany alone are now greater than total US assets in the whole of South America.
“And at the same time, direct European investment in the USA has increased more than ten fold in one decade – to over $200 billion a year – with more European capital now invested annually in America than US capital invested annually in Europe. During the 1990s as a whole, nearly three quarters of all foreign investment in the US came from Europe and there is now more European investment in Texas than all US investment in Japan.
“This means that both Europe and America have a vital interest in each other’s economic prosperity. So this is the right time for a new era of engagement between America and Europe. Instead of seeing globalisation as inviting a weakening of transatlantic ties, we must strengthen them to create a new transatlantic alliance for prosperity that is in both our interests.
“Last month a new joint British-Dutch study that we submitted to the European Commission reported that if we broke down the tariff barriers and the barriers to trade in services between Europe and the United States, employment in Europe could increase by one million, growth in Europe could rise by up to two per cent and in America by up to one per cent.
“Today I want to make some practical proposals about the way forward. As a first step, building on the work already done, I believe the US administration and the EU Commission should work with the UK and other Member States to produce a more detailed analysis of precisely where the barriers to trade across the Atlantic lie, and quantify the benefits of greater trade and investment liberalisation.
“Second, we must take a more pro-active approach to removing non-tariff barriers. In particular, we should set an example to the world with new levels of bilateral regulatory co-operation, assessing the impact on trade and investment before legislation is introduced.
“Third, we need to involve business more in driving forward this agenda. So I have called upon the EU and US to re-launch and reinvigorate the transatlantic business dialogue.
“Fourth, because we know that, in today’s world, prosperity and security go hand in hand, I believe that transatlantic bilateral co-operation should not be at the expense of an ambitious multilateral agenda. Europe and America must work together in the World Trade Organisation. It is estimated that if we were to halve protectionism in agriculture and in industrial goods and services we would increase the world’s yearly income by nearly $400 billion dollars: a boost to growth of 1.4 per cent. Developing countries would gain the most in terms of GDP growth – $150 billion a year – but all countries and regions, including ourselves, stand to benefit. So in the next few months running up to Cancun we must pursue a common agenda to break the deadlock in world trade. Europe and America must take the lead in the trade talks and work together if they are to succeed – standing firm and resisting political pressures for protectionism.
And in relation to Iraq, the Chancellor said:
“Britain and the US were right to take military action against Saddam Hussein. We should not forget that Saddam had used weapons of mass destruction against his own people, and that resolution 1441 – which listed the weapons of mass destruction believed to be in Iraq, as agreed unanimously by the UN Security Council – made clear that compliance this time had to be full, unconditional and immediate.”
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 25 July 2003.
The Treasury and Department for Education and Skills today published a consultation document on proposals for how to use the £25 million Parenting Fund, which was announced as part of the 2002 Spending Review.
The Parenting Fund will assist voluntary and community organisations in the delivery of Parenting Support.
The proposals for consultation are the result of a close working relationship between representatives from the voluntary and community sector and Government. The consultation document proposes that the Parenting Fund be used to achieve four key objectives:
Paul Boateng, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said:
“The Government is committed to enabling parents and families to access the support, help and advice that they need. The Parenting Fund is a significant investment of resources to support voluntary and community organisations in the important work they do to deliver parenting support. The manner in which the proposals have been drawn up is another example of an innovative and constructive working collaboration between government and the voluntary and community sector, which I am truly proud of.”
Margaret Hodge, Minister of State for Children, said:
“Being a parent is one of the hardest jobs most of us have to do. All parents at some point need help on how to do it. Not all have help readily at hand from their families and friends. I am delighted that we have the extra resources of the Parenting Fund. I look forward to hearing views from outside government on the best ways of targeting the fund to help families get the support they need.”
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 1 August 2003.
The Government today published a consultation document on economic instruments to improve household energy efficiency.
As announced in the Budget, following the initial consultation last year the Government is consulting in more detail on specific economic instruments to encourage greater energy efficiency by households.
The initial consultation sought views on the ways in which economic instruments could be used to overcome market failures which prevent improvements in household energy efficiency. Given the generally positive response to the consultation, supporting action in this area, and following the publication of the Energy White Paper and its focus on energy efficiency, the Government has decided to consult further.
This consultation is launched with the aim of gathering further information on the likely impacts and effectiveness of the identified measures and responses will help to inform the Government’s policy development in this area.
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 6 August 2003.
HM Treasury, the Financial Services Authority and the Bank of England today jointly published a guide to the EU Financial Services Action Plan (FSAP). The FSAP consists of a set of measures intended to achieve a Single Market in financial services across the EU by 2005.
John Healey, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, commented:
“With the Financial Services Action Plan nearing completion, it is essential that all stakeholders should be consulted on, and fully understand, the measures. Together with the Financial Services Authority and the Bank of England, we have prepared this guide so that all those involved are aware of the impact of new measures and the competitive opportunities of further EU financial integration .”
The guide is intended for financial institutions, companies and consumer groups in the UK that are not yet sufficiently familiar with the FSAP’s potential impact.
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 12 August 2003.
New proposals to take forward the Government’s reform of corporation tax aimed at supporting business competitiveness, productivity and growth, while ensuring fairness for all, were launched today.
Announcing the consultation, Corporation tax reform, Paymaster General Dawn Primarolo said:
“Sustainable growth and economic stability are built on the platform of a thriving business sector. For that we need a tax system that underpins business competitiveness, and ensures fairness across all sectors of the UK economy. Today’s consultation document marks the next stage in the Government’s strategy to achieve that objective through the reform of corporation tax. ”
”In 2002 the UK accounted for almost 30% of total EU inward investment. Today’s publication builds on the UK’s enviable position as an attractive location in which and from which to do business and further develops the wide-ranging proposals discussed in the August 2002 consultation document. I would urge businesses and all those with an interest in corporate tax to read and respond to the consultation.”
The consultation seeks views on proposals for taking forward reform in the three main areas set out in the August 2002 consultation document:
It also addresses the reform of corporation tax in its wider international context, recognising the influences of a competitive business environment, of international agreements and of legal developments.
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 4 September 2003.
New figures published today show that take-up of the new tax credits has been a huge success with 5.8 million families benefiting after just four months, a massive 95 per cent of those expected to receive tax credits in the first year, said Paymaster General Dawn Primarolo today.
Speaking to the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in London, Ms Primarolo said:
“New tax credits are the biggest step forward in tackling child poverty, making work pay, supporting hard working families, and getting more financial support to families ever introduced by this or any other Government.
“I can announce today that already, 5.8 million families are benefiting. We had expected that by next April, after a full year, six million families would be benefiting. So, after just four months, we have reached 95 per cent of those we expected to reach over a year– a massive success by anyone’s standards.
“Tax credits play a crucial role in support for mums who want to go back to work; help for families coping with the costs of a new baby; help for hard working families.”
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 8 September 2003.
In order to make it easier for funders of the voluntary and community sector to understand the implications of Government accounting rules the Treasury today published ‘Guidance to Funders’.
The guidance is a direct response to recommendations of the 2002 Cross Cutting Review of the Role of the Voluntary and Community Sector in Service Delivery. It makes a significant contribution to the Government’s commitment to creating a framework in which the voluntary and community sector can flourish, be strong and independent.
The Rt Hon Paul Boateng MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said:
“If we are to reap the rewards of the voluntary and community sector’s role in service delivery, we must improve the funding relationship between Government and the sector. This guidance to funders is designed to make it clearer and therefore easier for funding bodies to distribute money to the voluntary and community sector. I am very pleased that today’s announcement means we have now fully responded to all our commitments under the Cross-Cutting Review within one year of its publication.”
The cross cutting review identified the need for clear and consistent guidance around funding relationships between the voluntary and community sector and the government. The Guidance to Funders document clarifies what practices are and are not allowed under Government Accounting standards.
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 9 September 2003.
The interim report of the Independent Review of Public Sector Relocation published today by Sir Michael Lyons said that it should be possible to relocate 20,000 or more public sector jobs out of London and the South East.
Potential benefits of public sector relocation include:
cost savings to Departments through improved recruitment and retention and lower labour and accommodation costs;
better service delivery to customers: and improved quality of life to employees due to lower house prices and commute times which are often half those of staff based in central London.
Sir Michael has also recommended that government departments should consult the Treasury on proposals to renew or take on new property leases in London and the South East. This is a practical common sense step intended to prevent actions taken now from influencing the final outcomes of Sir Michael’s review. The Chancellor has accepted this recommendation.
Sir Michael Lyons said:
“I am conscious I have set departments a demanding task in developing relocation proposals. I hope they will think hard both about the costs of operating in London and the South East, and the broader benefits of relocation discussed in my interim report. I have already seen some exciting proposals and am sure that others can come up with creative and robust proposals in response to my Review.”
Welcoming Sir Michael’s interim report, Chancellor Gordon Brown said:
“I am grateful to Sir Michael for his interim report into the scope for relocating public service activities away from London and the South East. I will study his report with particular interest and the final report due later this year. I am convinced that further decentralisation of public sector activities can lead to improved service delivery as well as provide a good deal for the taxpayer. Following Sir Michael’s review, I would expect relocation will more and more be employed for the efficient and effective management of the public sector.”
The Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, also commented:
“I will carefully study Sir Michael’s interim report and look forward to seeing the final report in November. Sir Michael’s review provides a good opportunity for departments to consider the regional balance of their activities across the United Kingdom while, at the same time, continuing to improve the quality and effectiveness of services to the public.”
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 11 September 2003.
Details of the £125m futurebuilders investment fund to assist the voluntary and community sector to deliver public services were announced today. The fund will be used to provide access to finance for voluntary and community organisations and social enterprises to deliver public services in five key service areas.
The fund will be used and distributed in different ways tailored to suit the varied needs of the voluntary and community sector. This will include grants and various types of loans. Loans will primarily be given to organisations that cannot raise finance on the commercial market. There will be flexibility to use a mixture of types of finance for individual schemes, as well as the ability to phase in the finance over time.
The fund will be managed outside Government by institutions tuned in to the needs of the sector. An open competition will be held to appoint the fund manager(s) who will determine which organisations are eligible to receive the fund based on the principles published today.
Paul Boateng, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said:
“The Government wants to make it easier for the voluntary and community sector to contribute to public service delivery. futurebuilders will fund the best ideas in order to create exemplars that inspire and lead in voluntary and community sector delivery of public services. The fund will showcase what the sector can do when enabled to function at its best. I am confident that the unique design of the fund will help the money reach those in the sector who will make best use of it.”
The fund’s design is based on a joint assessment by Government and the sector of what is needed and what will work most effectively for the sector.
Sir Michael Bichard, Chair of the Compact Working Group, said:
“futurebuilders marks a new way of working between the voluntary and community sector and government. It underlines the value of the Compact as a vehicle for strengthening the partnership between us. This is demonstrated by the fact that today’s report is a joint publication by Government and the sector.”