Tag: Press Release

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 16 September 2002.

A new campaign to encourage people to claim their share of an extra £2.7 billion a year for families and children was launched by Chancellor Gordon Brown, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Andrew Smith and Paymaster General Dawn Primarolo today.

The new Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit will provide a simpler and more streamlined system to support families and to make work pay. Around 6 million families are expected to benefit from the new credits.

The multi-media campaign, which includes TV, Radio, Press and online advertising is aimed to ensure that these families and all others who might benefit make their claims in time to receive payments in April 2003 when the new credits will start.

Launching the campaign, Chancellor Gordon Brown said today:

“The Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit mark the biggest revolution to the tax and benefits system since Beveridge. They will modernise the existing systems, ensuring better support for children whether or not their parents are in work and making work pay for those without children as well. Six million families will be eligible for support.

Instead of a tax credit paid through the wage packet to the main earner, normally the father, we will pay the Child Tax Credit directly in cash or through a bank account to the carer, usually the mother. Up to £2 billion pounds will be transferred from fathers to mothers – providing them and their children with a secure and regular source of income”

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Andrew Smith said:

“This Government introduced a work first approach because work gives people a stake, it builds their self-esteem and it is the best route out of poverty. Tax credits are at the heart of our strategy to make work pay. Making work pay gets more people into jobs and boosts family income.”

Paymaster General Dawn Primarolo said:

“Nine out of ten families with children will benefit from the new child tax credit so it is vital that everyone is aware of the changes and knows how to claim their entitlement.”

That is why we are publicising the new credits through Television, Radio and Press advertisements to reach as wide an audience as possible. We have made it as easy as possible for people to make a claim: they can find out more and make a claim on-line at

www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/taxcredits. They can also visit one of the Inland Revenue Enquiry Centres or call the helpline on 0800 500 222

The Child Tax Credit brings together the various strands of support for families with children – the child elements in Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Working Families’ Tax Credit (WFTC), Disabled Person’s Tax Credit (DPTC) and the current Children’s Tax Credit – into one streamlined system. For the first time it will be paid direct to the main carer – usually the mother.

The Working Tax Credit will broadly replicate the adult support in WFTC and extend the principles of WFTC and DPTC to adults without children to create one transparent instrument to make work pay, paid through the wage packet. It will also include support with the costs of childcare, building on the success of the existing childcare component of WFTC and DPTC.

The communications campaign launches tonight and is intended to encourage take-up and inform people that tax credits for children will now be paid directly to the main carer.

The campaign clearly communicates how tax credits are changing and explains who is eligible, what they could be entitled to and how they can claim tax credits or get further information.

The campaign idea, ‘It’s Money With Your Name On It’, is intended to motivate people to claim their entitlement. In other words, they are entitled to this money in recognition of their contribution to the UK – through bringing up children, or working. So, the money is rightfully theirs and they should make sure they claim.

In the month following today’s launch in London, a number of events will be taking place across the country raising awareness of the changes and allowing representatives of local interest groups the opportunity to ask Treasury Ministers and Inland Revenue officials questions about the new system.

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 24 September 2002.

Chancellor Gordon Brown, and Governor of the Bank of England Sir Edward George, today announced the auction of low-numbered £5 banknotes, the proceeds of which will go towards the Commonwealth Education Fund’s work in supporting education programmes in Commonwealth countries.

Sir Edward and the Chancellor made the announcement at the Commonwealth Education Seminar held earlier in the day, prior to the formal opening of the Commonwealth Finance Ministers meeting in London. The seminar, which included speeches from the Chancellor and James Wolfensohn, the President of the World Bank, was designed to highlight the role that Finance Ministers can play in implementing Education Plans as part of their development strategies. Speakers from the Commonwealth Education Fund, of which Sir Edward George is the chair, also spoke about the Fund’s work alongside partner Governments in developing Commonwealth countries.

The Chancellor said, “We have spoken today about the importance of education in the fight against poverty, and the need to work together to fulfil our obligations to those children who are still without hope for a better future. I am very pleased that the proceeds from this auction will help provide strategic support to developing Commonwealth countries, both to improve the implementation of their education plans, and to strengthen accountability to parents and children. This is in addition to the Government’s commitment to help developing countries enrol an extra 20 million children into primary school by 2006”.

Speaking at the Education Seminar, the Chair of the CEF Sir Edward George said:

“I am delighted to be involved with the Commonwealth Education Fund (CEF). This is a tremendously exciting project, combining both public and private contributions to help provide universal access to primary education in the Commonwealth. Education is the foundation of economic progress for both individuals and for society as a whole, whether at the national or global level.

Improving education and access to education is a fundamental step in securing economic prosperity and business competitiveness in any economy. The Bank will itself be able to contribute to the CEF the net proceeds of an innovative auction of low-numbered £5 banknotes. The details will be announced later this year. We are also looking for private sector contributions to the CEF over the next three years. A number of very distinguished business leaders have joined me on the CEF Oversight Committee and we will shortly be approaching the business community for help and support.”

The Commonwealth Education Fund, a partnership between Government, business and non-governmental organisations, was set up earlier in the year by the Chancellor to provide strategic support to the UN goal of universal primary education by 2015. At present 75 million children in the Commonwealth go without any kind of formal schooling.

The Fund is jointly administered by ActionAid, Oxfam and Save the Children, and marks the year of Her Majesty the Queen’s Golden Jubilee as Head of the Commonwealth.

The UK is committed to the Millennium Development Goal of primary education for every child in the world by 2015. The Commonwealth Education Fund will work in 17 of the poorest Commonwealth Countries to help fund education and school infrastructure.

Since 1997 the Department for International Development, has committed over £700m to universal primary education.

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 18 October 2002.

The Cross Cutting Review of science and research has been published today on the Treasury website.  The review was conducted jointly by the Treasury, DTI and DfES and reported to Ministers in March 2002.  It considered how to maximise the benefits provided by public spending on science and research to the UK’s economy and quality of life over the long term.

The review looked at science funding by the Office for Science and Technology/Department of Trade and Industry and the Department for Education and Skills, and at research commissioned by all government departments. Its remit was:

• to review current funding mechanisms and levels, and to identify the priorities for resources across the funding streams held by the Office of Science and Technology and the Department for Education and Skills;
• to review current funding mechanisms for transferring the outputs of research from the science and engineering base to business and society more widely, and to identify priorities for future use of resources;
• to take stock of studies commissioned or reporting since the last Spending Review, and with potential implications for resources;
• to identify ways to improve the effectiveness and value for money of research commissioned by government departments, and to review how departments manage their research and put it to use more widely.

The Review’s conclusions were taken forward in some detail in the Government’s science strategy, ‘Investing in Innovation’, which was published on 23 July 2002.  The review is now being published to complete the full analytical picture behind the development of the science strategy.

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 21 October 2002.

The Government today welcomed publication by the Institutional Shareholders’ Committee of a new statement of principles setting out strengthened responsibilities of institutional shareholders and agents. This outlines best practice on the part of institutional investors to promote their members’ interests through more active engagement as shareholders.

Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Ruth Kelly, said:

“The Government has a clear objective to promote more active engagement by institutional shareholders in relation to companies in which they invest. Such engagement will build stronger companies and better returns for investors and members of pension funds.  The industry’s new principles are a major step, which we welcome. However, the key test will be the impact on industry behaviour.  We will monitor progress closely.”

Department of Work and Pensions Minister, Ian McCartney, said:

“I warmly welcome this statement from the Institutional Shareholders’ Committee. Pension scheme trustees and other clients of institutional shareholders need to be able to satisfy themselves that all is being done to act in their best financial interests, and intervention in investee companies is a crucial factor in achieving this aim. Trustees will benefit by gaining a keener insight into what is being done to enhance share value, and they will therefore be better placed to make important investment decisions.”

The Government has previously consulted on possible legislation to underpin institutions’ obligations to promote their beneficiaries’ interests through shareholder activism.  However, the Government welcomes the Committee’s proposal to seek to drive through an approach based on best practice, and to review the impact of the principles after two years. The Government will at that point review whether this non-legislative approach has been successful in delivering change.  The test will lie in the impact on behaviour.

The Government also welcomes the industry’s proposal that the new principles should be included in industry fund management contracts.  The Government will review the extent to which this has taken place as part of its forthcoming review of implementation of the Myners investment principles, due in March 2003.

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 25 October 2002.

HM Treasury today announces the appointment of Robert Stheeman as Chief Executive of the UK Debt Management Office (DMO) with effect from January 2003 in succession to Mike Williams. Mr Stheeman, 43, was previously Director of the Debt Capital Markets of Deutsche Bank AG in London.

Commenting on the appointment Gus O’Donnell, Permanent Secretary to the Treasury, said:

“Mike Williams has done a tremendous job at the DMO over the past five years.  Under his leadership the DMO has established a strong reputation in the City for the competent and professional manner in which it manages the Government’s cash and debt operations. I am very pleased to welcome Robert Stheeman as his successor. He brings with him extensive experience and expertise in the sovereign debt markets.”

Notes to Editors

1. The Debt Management Office was created as an executive agency of the Treasury in April 1998 as part of the reforms to the monetary policy framework following the 1997 election. It is responsible for the Government’s debt and cash management operations.

2. Mike Williams was appointed in January 1998.

3. Robert Stheeman joined Deutsche Bank in 1986 and spent most of his career there working on debt market issues.  Prior to that he worked in the Correspondent Banking and International Lending division of Vereins-und Westbank in Hamburg. He is married with four children.

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 5 November 2002.

Figures issued by Chancellor Gordon Brown today show small business creation rates varying widely across the UK – both within and between regions of the country.

They show 175,455 new businesses (measured by VAT registrations) started up across the UK in 2001, equivalent to 37 businesses for every 10,000 adults. The rates ranged from 20 new vat registrations per 10,000 citizens in the North East to 44 per 10,000 citizens in the South East.

Start-up rates varied widely in districts right across the country. They were as high as 118 per 10,000 citizens in Camden in London and 65 in Sefton in the North West compared to 19 in Plymouth in the South West or 10 in Barrow-in-Furness.

And they differed significantly within regions as well, ranging from 33 businesses per 10,000 population in Teesdale to 10 in Wansbeck in the North East, and from 76 in Tunbridge Wells to 20 in Gosport in the South East, for example.

Start-ups per 10,000 population in the 20 most disadvantaged areas of England (outside London) are only half of start-ups in the 20 most affluent areas, and if the level of business in every region was at least as high as the national average, there would be 110,000 more businesses across the UK.

Speaking at the Inner City 100 Awards event for the fastest growing businesses in Britain’s most deprived inner cities, Chancellor Gordon Brown signalled new measures in the forthcoming Pre Budget Report to help tackle the challenges that businesses face, especially in disadvantaged areas.

The Chancellor, a patron of Inner City 100, said:

“I want British young people to see businessmen and women once again as role models in their communities. I want teachers willing to extol the virtues of enterprise and a career in commerce. I want our poorest communities to see an expansion of enterprise as the best solution to unemployment and deprivation. And I want an end to no-go areas for the enterprise economy in any part of Britain. Today’s figures show new businesses were established in every district and in every region of our country, but that the rates at which they were set up varies dramatically both within regions and between them.

“And they show the potential for each region, not just for the number of new businesses we can create, but for additional jobs as well. If the level of business in every region were the same as the national average, there would be 110,000 more businesses generating wealth and prosperity and creating jobs across the UK.

“That is why enterprise will be a central theme of our Pre Budget Report, with special incentives for enterprise in the poorest areas. We have already helped firms by cutting the cost of cleaning up contaminated land and will abolish stamp duty on commercial property transactions. Many of these areas will also be able to sweep aside business planning red tape.

“And as we promote the enterprise agenda in Britain, so we must do the same in Europe – this involves the opening up of financial services, utilities, energy telecommunications and the air transport industry. Our demand, that we abolish stamp duty entirely for commercial property purchases in depressed areas, is a test case for Europe’s willingness to reform.”

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 19 November 2002.

Chancellor Gordon Brown today instructed UK financial institutions to freeze any accounts belonging to the Benevolence International Foundation.

Announcing the asset freeze, the Chancellor said:

“At home and abroad we continue to bear down on the funding of terrorism. Benevolence International Foundation (BIF) raises funds for Al Qa’ida and Usama bin Laden. BIF operates as an international organisation with offices around the world and is extensively involved in funding international terrorism.

“I have no doubt that in taking concerted international action today we are cutting off the finances of an extremely threatening fundraiser for terrorism.

“Here in the UK the police have acted swiftly against terrorist suspects, with significant seizures of terrorist funds”.

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 29 November 2002.

HM Treasury and the Attorney General’s office today named Mr Justice Butterfield as head of the review of current practices and procedures relating to disclosure, associated investigation techniques and case management in HM Customs and Excise’ criminal cases, announced by Economic Secretary John Healey on 26 November.

Mr Justice Butterfield will begin work in January 2003, though preparatory work has already begun. He is expected to report to the Economic Secretary and the Attorney in June 2003.

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. Announcement of the review followed the decision of the prosecution not to offer further evidence in a hearing in cases relating to London City Bond being heard at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday 25 November. Further details of the review, including the terms of reference, were announced in HM Treasury press release 123/02.

2. Mr Justice (Neil) Butterfield (60) was educated at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge. He was called to the Bar by the Inner Temple in 1965 and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1985. His practice was in criminal law and he served as Leader of the Western Circuit from 1992 to 1995 when he was appointed a Justice of the High Court, assigned to the Queen’s Bench Division. He served as a Presiding Judge of the Western Circuit from 1997 to 2000.

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 2 December 2002.

Why do we need public services – How much should we spend on them – How do we pay for them – These are among the citizenship issues for young people addressed in a new schools initiative, including an interactive website, launched by Treasury Chief Secretary Paul Boateng today.

‘The Red Box’ teaching pack and website will help pupils to understand the role of public services and the priorities and choices involved, with the opportunity to set their own budgets and balance demands on public spending in an imaginative exercise in community services provision.

It will stimulate interest and discussion of what young people believe is important in their own communities while delivering components of the citizenship and personal and social education curriculum, and developing literacy and numeracy skills in a real life context.

Welcoming the initiative, Mr Boateng said:

“This is an excellent informative and entertaining package which will help young people understand the choices that we are required to make in order to provide schools, hospitals, roads and other public services.

“Understanding crucial public service issues and the decisions that have to be taken are central to democracy and citizenship.

“As adults, we all have to consider these questions and their impact on the quality of life for our families and communities. ‘The Red Box’ initiative will help young people prepare in the classroom to deal with the issues when they leave it.

“It is essential that we help our children to become informed, thoughtful and responsible members of society, aware of their duties as well as their rights. That is why citizenship is now being taught as part of the national curriculum. This pack is intended to give teachers another resource to help them teach it effectively.”

Named after the Chancellor’s famous Budget Box, ‘The Red Box’ initiative will help school pupils aged between 7 and 16 years to understand the importance of public services and the funding of public spending.

It comprises: an interactive website; a budget box pack containing: a 48-page pack for teachers; worksheets for classroom use; case studies and background information; classroom posters; and “Jack’s Guide To Life”, a video that looks at public services in a series of scenarios involving 15-year old Jack and his family.

The pack has been designed for educational use throughout the UK, primarily for teaching citizenship-related subjects, but it also supports the teaching of literacy and numeracy and information and communication technology.

‘The Red Box’ was developed jointly by the Treasury, Inland Revenue and Customs & Excise, working with educational consultants. During its development, Paul Boateng hosted a workshop at No 11 Downing Street where a class of primary school children from a North London school tested the materials and suggested their own ideas to make sure that ‘The Red Box’ reflects their classroom needs.

Inland Revenue Chairman Nick Montagu said :

“People pay taxes as their contribution to the UK’s needs. Taxpaying is a vital element in citizenship. So I am delighted that we are providing this pack for schools: I hope it will stimulate young people to think about the relationship between taxes and providing the public goods that a civilised society requires.”

Customs and Excise Chairman Richard Broadbent said :

“The schoolchildren of today are the citizens of tomorrow, and Customs and Excise are pleased to be part of this valuable initiative to improve understanding of vital citizenship issues. ‘The Red Box’ is an excellent opportunity for agencies at the forefront of the public sector to give pupils an insight into the workings of the sector in an informative, interactive and fun way.”

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 4 December 2002.

Proposals to forge a stronger and more active voluntary and community sector, including an innovative pilot scheme to support volunteering gap years for young people from disadvantaged communities, were outlined today by Chancellor Gordon Brown and Home Secretary David Blunkett.

Speaking at a ‘Giving Campaign’ business breakfast in 11 Downing Street to champion Payroll Giving, Mr Brown and Mr Blunkett launched ‘Next Steps on Volunteering and Giving in the UK’, a paper setting out the Government’s commitment to promote the culture of volunteering and giving in the UK, including:

A commitment to encourage further donations using the range of financial incentives that promote giving, including Payroll Giving – supported by a 10 per cent Government supplement extended for one further year, as announced in the Pre Budget Report, to make sure all charities are claiming what they are eligible for – if, for example, just 2 per cent more employees were encouraged to give through payroll schemes, charities could receive up to £100m extra income.

A ‘Corporate Challenge’ with the corporate and voluntary sectors to look at how to best to promote the current tax incentives and develop new initiatives on employee volunteering; and

Widening opportunities for volunteering and working within local communities through a pilot Gap Year Scheme for young people from disadvantaged communities.

Mr Brown said:

“The Government is committed to ensuring that voluntary and community groups are able to play their full part in our society of the future, by helping them grow, become stronger and more confident. Together we want to build a new, mutually-supportive partnership between individuals, communities, businesses and Government, that continues to promote a culture of giving and volunteering, widens the opportunities for all, and strengthens and empowers our communities to play their part in the forging of a modern Britain.”

The Home Secretary, David Blunkett, said:

“Active citizenship, volunteering and community activity are crucial to the renewal of civic society in this country. We have a rich tradition of mutuality which we can build upon today as we establish a new relationship between Government, individuals and community.”

“The paper the Chancellor and I are launching today sets out how we will further promote a culture of giving and volunteering. But we all – Government, businesses and the voluntary sector – need to play a part. We would like companies to work with us, to help build strong and active communities by encouraging employee volunteering and corporate and individual giving.”

Speaking to an audience of business leaders and voluntary sector representatives, Mr Brown and Mr Blunkett urged business leaders to get behind Payroll Giving and promote it to their employees.

Welcoming the new paper on volunteering and giving, Lord Joffe, chair of the Giving Campaign said:

“This paper is a timely boost for giving and I’m delighted this event was chosen to launch it. Business has a big part to play in supporting philanthropy, particularly through the active promotion of Payroll Giving. I want to see Britain’s biggest companies take inspiration from the Government’s commitment and get behind Payroll Giving.”