Government World Magazine | Government related news stories and press releases

Apr122017

The government’s approach to making working more worthwhile for families

I have been sent a reminder of changes coming in this April:

There are a number of welfare reforms and tax changes that come into effect in April. These reforms are about building a stronger economy and a fairer society. We want to support people in work, as well as ensure the welfare system works as a safety net for those who need it.

The measures include:

 A further increase in the Personal Allowance to £11,500; an increase of over 70% since 2010. Since the start of this Parliament we have cut income tax for 31m people and taken 1.3m of the lowest paid out of income tax altogether.

 Increasing support for low earners by raising the National Living Wage to £7.50. This marks a £1,400 a year increase in earnings for a full-time worker on the National Minimum Wage (NMW) since the introduction of the NLW in April 2016. – a pay-rise for one million people.

 Helping working parents with childcare costs by launching Tax Free Childcare from 28 April – saving working parents up to £2000 per year for each child under the age of 12.

 Increasing income for 3 million households by reducing the Universal Credit taper rate from 65 per cent to 63 per cent.

 Ensuring young people are always better off in work by delivering the manifesto commitment to end automatic entitlement to housing support for 18 to 21-year-olds who can safely live at home for new claims to full service Universal Credit.

 Investing £330m in practical employment support to help disabled people back into work, and aligning the rate paid to new claimants who are placed in the ESA work-related activity group or the Universal Credit limited capability for work group with the job-seeking equivalent in both benefits.

 Tackling worklessness by ensuring that those in receipt of Universal Credit will be expected to prepare for employment when their youngest child turns 2 and to look for work when their youngest child turns 3.

 Aligning the benefits system between those in work and those out of work by limiting Child Tax Credits and the child element of Universal Credit to 2 children (new awards will not be made for third or subsequent children born on or after 6 April).

 Removing the higher rate of child element for the first child in Universal Credit and the family element in tax credits for claims where the eldest child is born on or after 6 April.

 Widening help so that more bereaved people get the support they need by introducing the Bereavement Support Payment on 6 April. This will replace Bereavement Allowance, Widowed Parent’s Allowance and the Bereavement Payment for those who lose a spouse or civil partner on or after this date.

Helping savers with the launch of a new NS&I bond offering a market-leading interest rate of 2.2% and increasing the annual ISA limit to £20,000.

Apr122017

Labour launches Pensioners’ Pledge Card

GovWorldMagLabour

Speaking today (Wednesday 12 April) on a visit to an arts and crafts exhibition at Age UK Coventry’s Craft and Computer Centre, the Shadow Chancellor and Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, will launch Labour’s Pensioners’ Pledge Card.

The Pensioners’ Pledge Card lays out Labour’s four promises to protect older people in our communities:

Protect pensioner incomes by legislating to keep the Triple-Lock on state pensions up to 2025
End Tory unfairness on the women’s pension age, compensating those worst affected
Protect the pensions of UK citizens living overseas
Keep the Winter Fuel Allowance and free bus passes for pensioners

Alongside the pledge card, Labour will publish new analysis from the House of Commons Library showing pensioners will be at least £650 better off by the end of the next parliament from keeping the triple-lock.

Highlighting an increase in pensioner poverty over the last year, Labour will also commit to compensating women worst affected by the Government’s speeding-up of the state pension age; protecting pensioner benefits and protecting the pensions of UK citizens living abroad.

John McDonnell MP, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, will say:

“I am delighted to be launching this pledge card that will inform many elderly people in our communities that Labour is not only promising to stand up for pensioners; but is determined to ensure they keep the hard-won entitlements they currently hold.

“It’s a national scandal that pensioner poverty is rising and the Tories are refusing to commit to keeping the triple-lock or compensate women worst affected by the speeding up in the state pension age.

“Only a Labour Government will stand up for pensioners and protect them throughout the next parliament.”

Apr122017

UKIP to continue fight against New Thames Crossing

UKIP - UK Independence PartyUKIP

Today’s announcement that the Conservative Government will be pressing ahead with the Option C, Variant 3 option for a new Lower Thames Crossing, which will devastate the local community in Thurrock, is incredibly disappointing.

Cllr Tim Aker MEP said: “Highways England received their largest number of responses in any consultation in objection to another Thames Crossing. Their persistence shows that this was a sham consultation, a PR exercise by a Government with its fingers in its ears.

“Thurrock suffers from high pollution levels, congestion and infrastructure under strain as it is. Adding more traffic to this will destroy the standard of living we have here in Thurrock. This new crossing will cost billions and will only take 14% of traffic from the Dartford Crossing. As our population increases and new pull factors on the borough emerge, this will do nothing. Nothing about the Government’s ridiculous plans make sense. They just want to dump on Thurrock – again.

Apr122017

News story: Defence minister meets teenagers taking part in pilot Army supercamp

GovWorldMagMOD

The 60 teenagers mainly from local communities in Yorkshire were taking part in a pilot scheme to allow teenagers to learn about Army life by participating in a variety of fun but challenging tasks, including camouflage techniques and assault courses.

Defence Minister Earl Howe, who met students from Keighley University Academy and Bradford Youth Services Group, said:

These camps will educate young people and help the Army build close and long lasting ties with local communities.

An incredible amount of work is being done to ensure these ‘Supercamps’ are a success and I look forward to seeing more of them taking place across the country.

The teenagers from local communities in Yorkshire were taking part in a pilot scheme to allow teenagers to learn about Army life. Crown Copyright

The two week pilot, which includes 290 students, is being run by 4th Infantry Brigade, the regional brigade for Yorkshire and the North East.

Lt Col Mark Hunter, who is overseeing the camp, said:

This supercamp brings together people from all communities around Yorkshire, providing them with positive skills to take home leadership and team working skills.

It also provides them with an opportunity to learn about the different things that the Army does, and to know more about the Armed Forces.

Towards the end of his visit Lord Howe presented special certificates to students who took part in the supercamp and also met many of the course instructors.

Apr122017

BCC comments on Lower Thames Crossing announcement

BCCBritish Chambers of Commerce

BCC and Chambers from the network comment on the Lower Thames Crossing announcement made today by the Minister for Transport.

12th April 2017

Commenting on the announcement made today by the Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling, on the Lower Thames Crossing, Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

“This long-overdue decision is crucial both to local business communities and to national connectivity.

“A new Thames Crossing has long been needed to increase road capacity, ease congestion and shorten travel times, making it easier for businesses to connect with staff, consumers and markets. The project will also create work for the construction sector, and its supply chains.

“Business communities will want to see work begin on the new crossing without delay, as it will give a shot in the arm to the construction sector and its supply chains, as well as confidence to business more generally. This should be just one of many major infrastructure projects given the green light over the coming months – to boost business confidence and procurement opportunities during a period of uncertainty and change.”

Leading accredited Chambers of Commerce, representing business communities to be connected by the new Lower Thames Crossing, have also commented:

Denise Rossiter, Chief Executive of Essex Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said:

“We are pleased the decision has at last been made and urge the Government to proceed with construction as soon as possible.

“With international trade growing in importance with Brexit, it is essential that we have first class links between our ports and the rest of the UK.”

Jo James, Chief Executive of Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, said:

“This decision sends the strongest possible message to business that the Government recognises the importance of investing in our strategic infrastructure in order to build a strong national and regional economy. We need to work with government to ensure smooth transition through the planning process.”

Colin Stanbridge, Chief Executive of London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said:

“We welcome the decision to press ahead with a new Lower Thames Crossing and urge that it is built as soon as practical to ease the pressure on, and improve the resilience of, the road network.

“We need to ensure that there is continued investment in infrastructure in London and the South-East to maintain the region as an attractive place to work, live and do business.”

Ends

Notes to editors:

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) sits at the heart of a powerful network of 52 Accredited Chambers of Commerce across the UK, representing thousands of businesses of all sizes and within all sectors. Our Global Business Network connects exporters with nearly 40 markets around the world. For more information, visit: www.britishchambers.org.uk

Media contacts:

Allan Williams – Senior Press Manager

020 7654 5812 / 07920583381

Orla Hennessy – Press and Communications Officer

020 7654 5813 / 07825746812