Tag: Treasury

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.”

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.”

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.”

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”.

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 4 January 2005.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown today set out the proposals the UK is making as president of the G7 group of Finance Ministers on how the G7 and the international financial institutions can provide further financial assistance to countries affected by the tsunami disaster.

Gordon Brown said today:

“Our proposal is that, with immediate effect, the Paris Club should expect no debt repayment from afflicted countries. That would then lead to an analysis of the needs of these countries, with the possibility of some debt relief, at the same time ensuring that the money goes to the people and areas in greatest need. Britain has put this on the agenda for the G7 Finance Ministers meeting at the beginning of February.

“That will be backed up by two other proposals: the International Monetary Fund will offer emergency assistance; and the World Bank, which has made an initial contribution for emergency relief, will add to that substantially with money for reconstruction.

“Therefore, the $2 billion figure which has been quoted as the world’s contribution to deal with both the problems of first aid and reconstruction will rise very substantially, and Britain is going to play its part in making its contribution to that enhanced figure.

“What my discussions with the IMF, the World Bank, the US Treasury Secretary and other financial leaders over the last few days have shown to me is that we never want to be in a position again where we have to choose between emergency aid and tackling the underlying causes of poverty. The world ought to be able to do both.

“That is why I will also be putting forward proposals for a new ‘Marshall Plan’ for aid, trade and debt relief for the developing world to release sufficient resources through debt relief and through additional money to be provided by the richest countries and for trade justice so that we can deal with the underlying causes of poverty in Africa and elsewhere as well as providing the aid for reconstruction – that is why 2005 will be a critical year for development under the UK’s presidency.

“What people are realising as a result of this terrible tragedy is that what happens to the poorest citizen in the poorest country affects the richest citizen in the richest country – we are an interdependent world, one moral universe, and I think just as we see the power of nature to destroy, we have seen the power of human compassion to build, and it is on that – people’s moral sense that something has got to be done – that we build the next stage of our efforts to achieve social justice on a global scale.”

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 8 January 2005.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown today announced that the Treasury will be making a special donation to the Disasters Emergency Committee to offset the VAT charged on the proposed charity concert and charity records designed to raise money specifically for the tsunami appeal.

This will be in addition to the sum of at least £15 million the Treasury currently estimates will be given in tax relief on public contributions to the appeal made through the Gift Aid scheme.

In hundreds of cases throughout the country, CDs, tickets, and similar items are being sold to raise money for the tsunami appeal, and many businesses and performers are also donating the proceeds from their activities to the appeal.

As a one-off gesture, in light of the unprecedented public response to the tsunami appeal, the Treasury will be making a special contribution direct to the Disasters Emergency Committee – a sum which will match the VAT expected to be collected from these fund-raising sales of goods and services.

Gordon Brown said:

“Millions of people and businesses across Britain are showing their compassion and generosity. Where there has been a major concert or record in these circumstances in the past, the Treasury has been willing to make a donation equivalent to the VAT.

“I know there are many who will attend charity concerts, buy charity CDs, and buy other goods and services designed to raise money for the tsunami appeal.

“The Treasury will make a special donation which will cover the VAT charged on these purchases, and will make allowance for sales of other goods and services to raise money for the appeal, and thus we will ensure that all the proceeds go to ease the suffering of those people and communities affected by the tsunami tragedy.”

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 10 January 2005.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown and Minister for Children Margaret Hodge today officially launched the Child Trust Fund (CTF), announcing the list of 75 official providers and distributors for the CTF.

With the first information packs and vouchers being sent out in the coming days and a major advertising campaign beginning on the 17 January, the Chancellor and Minister for Children addressed representatives of the participating firms this afternoon.

The Chancellor, Gordon Brown, said:

“Our aim is a Britain of ambition and aspiration where not just some but all children have the best possible start in life. The Child Trust Fund is designed to ensure that every child in our country has assets and wealth and that no child is left out and all children in Britain have a stake in the wealth of the nation.

2 million vouchers will start to be issued in the next few days to parents on behalf of all children born after September 1st 2002. So at age 18 every child, no matter what their background, will have some wealth from which to plan their future.

Today’s list of 75 providers and distributors provides a powerful symbol that a wide range of firms, from small friendly societies to some of the largest institutions in the country, share this Government’s vision for a strengthened savings culture.”

Minister for Children, Margaret Hodge, said:

“The Child Trust Fund is not only about giving all children an asset to use when they are 18 and encouraging saving – it is also about improving financial awareness.  The Child Trust Fund offers the real advantage of bringing financial education to life and any discussion of the value of saving will be real rather than theoretical.”

The Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Stephen Timms, said:

“I am delighted with the response from financial providers and distributors to the Child Trust Fund. The list published today shows that there are institutions from across the financial services industry who collectively serve millions of customers every day, ready to accept Child Trust Fund vouchers from next week.”

The involvement of such a wide range of providers and distributors makes it easy for parents to get information about CTF accounts available and to open one for their child.”

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 31 January 2005.

Chancellor Gordon Brown today called for a step change in the participation of young people in volunteering, encouraging young people to do voluntary work as part of their normal lives and enabling them to do voluntary work in the UK during pre-college gap years.  He spoke at a conference forming part of the Chancellor’s pre-Budget consultation, involving the voluntary and community sector and businesses, coming at the start of 2005 – The Year of the Volunteer.

The Chancellor was joined by Home Secretary Charles Clarke, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Paul Boateng, and Economic Secretary John Healey. Ian Russell, Chief Executive of Scottish Power plc, announced the results of the Russell Commission consultation on youth volunteering.  The Russell Commission report will be published around the time of the Budget.

The Chancellor highlighted the importance of voluntary action and mentoring, and called for more people to give up time to help others.  He discussed how to expand the participation of young people in volunteering, how to extend the scope of mentoring, and how businesses as well as individuals can be more involved.  He also launched a new guide explaining the tax incentives for corporate giving.

The Chancellor said:

“I believe we have a goodwill mountain just waiting to be tapped.  Building upon the current engagement of young people – 3 million each year in voluntary work – we find that a majority of young people aged 15 to 24 year old – 59 per cent – want to know more about how to get involved in their communities.

Let us set a practical aim: that the majority of young people do volunteer and that over the next five years 1 million new young people become volunteers. And let us now set a national framework: business, government and the voluntary sector working together to encourage, enthuse and engage youth in community action.”

Home Secretary Charles Clarke said:

“Volunteering enables people to make a real difference in both their lives and the lives of others in a huge variety of ways, from working as a mentor to assisting a neighbour do their shopping. Earlier this month the Chancellor and I launched the Year of the Volunteer 2005 which forms an important part of a cross-Government commitment to encourage citizens to give their time to make communities better places for us all.

“I recognise the important role that volunteering can play in a young persons life and the Russell Commission is currently working in partnership with voluntary groups and businesses to identify and build on what works in UK volunteering. Their proposals will inform the Government’s National Youth Volunteering Strategy and I await the Commission’s report with interest.”

Ian Russell, CEO of Scottish Power said:

“By responding to the needs and aims of young volunteers themselves, the national framework aims to make volunteering the norm among young people and help establish a pattern of lifelong engagement which will be to the mutual benefit of the individual, the local community, and Britain as a whole.”

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 14 February 2005.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Paul Boateng, today presented a full signature Memorandum of Understanding in Mali with Minister for Investment Promotion Ousame Thiam in Bamako. This will provide $45.4 million of debt relief between 2005 and 2015. The meeting took place during the Chief Secretary’s visit to West Africa as part of his Commission for Africa consultations with African nations.

Paul Boateng said:

“Africa is a key priority for the UK presidencies of the G7 and G8. Earlier this month in London G7 finance Ministers indicated that they would be willing to provide as much as 100 per cent multilateral debt relief for the poorest countries. The UK is leading the way by paying our share of the debt owed by Mali to the World Bank and African Development Bank, 10 per cent of the total multilateral debt. We are urging other countries to do the same.

To date, in Mali, resources from bilateral debt relief have led to more spending on education, with almost 2,500 classrooms constructed, and almost 2,000 teachers recruited and trained. This new commitment will allow more resources to be spent on poverty reduction.”

Mr Boateng also visited a programme for widows and orphans at Djicoroni. The programme assists 149 widows, giving them a chance to improve their lot in life, and provides education for the children.

Focusing international commitment on Africa is a key priority for the UK presidencies of the G7/G8 and also for the Commission for Africa. The Commission will make recommendations on the further action needed to ensure that Africa shares in the benefits of globalisation, and meets the Millennium Development Goals.

Speaking at a lunch hosted by Minister Thiam, Mr Boateng highlighted the priorities of the Commission and listened to views on Mali’s priorities for the Africa report and the way forward once the report is presented.

Paul Boateng said:

“Mali is a great country with much potential. I welcome the positive development progress I have seen on this visit. We need to ensure that through working together – through the Commission for Africa and NAPAD  – we continue to tackle all the challenges facing Africa and ensure that Mali can make progress towards the Millennium Development Goals.”

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 24 February 2005.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Rt. Hon Paul Boateng and Home Office Minister for Race Equality and Community Cohesion, Fiona Mactaggart today hosted a “Third Sector Summit” at Number 11 Downing Street to conclude the work of the 2004 Voluntary and Community Sector Review.

Fifty key representatives from Third Sector organisations were brought together to discuss with Government and make progress on, the role of the Third Sector in public service delivery, as well as funding issues facing the sector and the benefits and best ways of working in partnership.

The full findings of the 2004 Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Review have been published through three publications:

• Working Together, Better Together, which suggests the way forward to build understanding, strengthen local partnerships, and press for progress in particular service areas;
• Exploring the role of the third sector in public service delivery and reform, a discussion document on how the sector can realise its full potential contribution to service delivery, including involvement in the design and evaluation of public services; and
• Effective Local Partnerships, a practical checklist for local practitioners to consider in the development of local compacts, or in entering partnership arrangements with the VCS.

These publications set out the case for the role of the VCS in service delivery and seek to reach out to the local level in order to improve relations between the sector and Government.

During the summit, Ministers also announced:

• plans to update HM Treasury “Guidance to Funders” – with a focus on the implementation of the principle of full cost recovery;
• that HM Treasury and Home Office, among others, will work with the Third Sector in developing the evidence base on the role of the Third Sector and where the sector is best placed to help deliver services;
• a “Clawback Review” in which HM Treasury will review the rules on clawback, endowments and dowries to see how they can be reformed to improve funders’ ability to work in partnership with Third Sector bodies to deliver public and community services; and
• plans to work with the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA), the Local Government Association (LGA) and National Association of Councils for Voluntary Service (NACVS) to ensure better communication of the benefits of working with the third sector at a local level.

Paul Boateng said:

“Two years ago I chaired a cross-cutting review of the role of the voluntary and community sector in service delivery. This laid the foundation for a new and exciting phase in the relationship between Government and the VCS. Much progress has been made and we continue to push ambitiously for full implementation of this vision. I hope this further contribution will both deepen and reinforce the foundations for future work between Government and the sector.”

Fiona Mactaggart said:

“The voluntary and community sector can do things for people that public authorities cannot, but public authorities need to work in a way which helps them, protecting their independence and developing the infrastructure they depend on. The aim of this summit and the VCS review is to help us to use the expertise and value of the VCS to improve service delivery.”

Kevin Curley, Chief Executive of NACVS said:

“Relations between the local VCS and central Government have come a long way but we need to make sure messages get out to the local level and make a real difference to those on the ground who deliver services and support community groups. VCS organisations are often hamstrung by the lack of awareness of what the sector can offer, the right messages from central Government being ignored by local authorities, and inefficient, unstable and unhelpful funding relationships. Today’s summit was a great opportunity to discuss this and I am glad to see leadership from Treasury and Home Office ministers. We now need to draw in support from the Audit Commission, which inspects local Government, and the LGA which speaks for it.”