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GOVERNMENT GRANTS WORTH OVER £3.6 MILLION GIVEN TO CHARITIES TO HELP FIGHT THE RECESSION TODAY

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£4 MILLION TO HELP MAKE YOUR BUSINESS, SCHOOL OR HOSPITAL GREENER THROUGH BIO-ENERGY

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VAT ONLINE ALERT FOR BUSINESSES

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VAT-registered businesses are being urged to get ready now for major changes to VAT return filing and payment coming in next April.
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has sent a leaflet to all 1.9m VAT-registered businesses to alert them to the fact that, from 1 April 2010, those with an annual turnover of £100,000 or more (excluding VAT) will have to file their VAT returns online and pay their VAT electronically.
Under the changes, businesses registering for VAT on or after 1 April 2010 will also have to file their return online and pay electronically, whatever their turnover.
To file a VAT return online, businesses new to HMRC’s online services need to register for the VAT Online service by visiting www.online.hmrc.gov.uk, clicking “Register” under the “New user” section and then following the instructions. Current HMRC online service users can add VAT Online to their portfolio in the ‘Services you can add’ section of ‘Your HMRC services’.
HMRC’s Stephen Banyard said:
“Filing your VAT return online has a number of benefits: it’s secure, convenient, does arithmetical checks and calculations for you, and provides you with an immediate online acknowledgement that your online return has been safely received by us.
“So, if your turnover is £100,000 or more, and you’re not already filing your VAT return online, sign-up now for VAT online services – that way, you’ll avoid a last-minute rush, and be able to enjoy the benefits of online filing sooner rather than later.”
HMRC will also be sending formal letters, in February 2010, to all existing businesses affected by the new online filing and electronic payment requirements, confirming that in future they must file online and pay electronically. And, from 1 April 2010, a letter explaining the requirement to file online will be included in all registration packs issued to newly registering VAT businesses. Both letters will be accompanied by a handy guide on registering for VAT Online.
Further help and advice, including an online demonstrator and a step-by-step guide to filing online, is available on HMRC’s website at www.hmrc.gov.uk/vat, or by calling its VAT helpline on 0845 010 9000 (available between 8am and 8pm, Monday to Friday).


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HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is issuing a reminder to anyone who hasn’t yet submitted their 2008-09 Self Assessment tax return – don’t forget, your return must be both on time and online.
The 31 October deadline for paper returns has now passed, which means you must file your return online by the 31 January deadline. If you submit a paper return after 31 October, or you file online after 31 January, you could receive a £100 penalty.
If you’re a first-time Self Assessment filer, or you are new to online filing, you’ll first need to register for HMRC’s Self Assessment Online service. Registering is simple – visit the HMRC website at www.hmrc.gov.uk/sa and click “Register for Self Assessment Online”. Once you’ve registered, an Activation Code will be sent to you in the post – it may take up to seven days for this to arrive, so it’s advisable to register as soon as possible.
When filing online, your tax is calculated automatically, you get an online acknowledgement once you’ve filed, and it’s processed faster, so any money you’re owed is repaid more quickly.
HMRC’s Sarah Walker said:
“If you haven’t yet sent us your 2008-09 tax return, don’t forget, it must be sent online before 31 January. And if you haven’t filed online before, make sure you allow plenty of time to complete the registration process – that way, you’ll avoid a last-minute rush at the end of January.”
And don’t forget, 31 January 2010 is also the deadline for paying any tax you owe for the 2008/09 tax year.
Help is available from the HMRC website at www.hmrc.gov.uk/sa.
Self Assessment Facts & Figures:
· HMRC are expecting more than 9.5m Self Assessment returns this year.
· Around 5.8m people filed online last year, up from 3.8m the previous year – an increase of over 50%.
· 620 people in the UK filed their tax returns online on Christmas Day last year – 224 accountants and 396 individuals.
· The 31 October deadline for paper returns was introduced in 2008.
· Self Assessment is in its 13th year, having been introduced for the 1996/97 tax year.
· Additional help is available from the Self Assessment helpline on 0845 9000 444, which is open seven days a week from 8am to 8pm (closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day & New Year's Day). NAT 86.09
Contacts

NDS Enquiries
Phone: For enquiries please contact the above department
ndsenquiries@coi.gsi.gov.uk


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- All homes will have smart meters from their supplier by end of 2020 - Smart energy use will save consumers money, make electricity use more efficient and cut carbon emissions - The case for developing smart grids in the UK is also being published. - £6 million to develop smart technology
- All homes will have smart meters from their supplier by end of 2020 - Smart energy use will save consumers money, make electricity use more efficient and cut carbon emissions - The case for developing smart grids in the UK is also being published. - £6 million to develop smart technology
Smart meters will be rolled out through energy suppliers to every home by the end of 2020 under final plans published today by Energy and Climate Change Minister Lord Hunt. A paper setting out the case for developing smart grids in the UK is also being published.
Lord Hunt said:
“A global climate deal in Copenhagen needs all countries to make the most ambitious commitments possible, but it will also require all of us to change how we lead our lives and how we generate our energy.
“Smart meters will put the power in people’s hands, enabling us all to control how much energy we use, cut emissions and cut bills.
“Smart grids will help manage the massive shift to low carbon electricity such as wind, nuclear and clean fossil fuels.
“Globally the business of developing smart grids has been estimated at £27 billion over the next 5 years and the UK has the know-how to be part of that.”
The Government’s response to the smart meter consultation sets out how smart meters will be rolled out across Britain by the end of 2020. This includes:
- Making energy suppliers responsible for installing smart meters in their customers’ homes
- Supplying a standalone display device with meters to make it easy for consumers to see and understand their energy use and carbon emissions in real time
- Centrally coordinating the communications between smart meters and the utility companies to ensure easy switching between suppliers, and to provide a platform for the development of smarter grids in the future.
“Smarter Grids: The Opportunity”, also published today, makes the case for developing smart grids in the UK. Smart grids will give operators and consumers much more information about supply and demand of electricity – enabling more effective interaction between consumer needs and fluctuating supplies.
Specifically smart grids will:
- Deliver electricity more efficiently and reliably - reducing the costs and emissions from electricity generation and transmission
- Facilitate increased generation of low carbon electricity sources such as wind
- With smart meters, give consumers more control and choice of when they use electricity allowing them to save money
DECC is also providing £6 million to companies to continue developing smart technology such as electricity storage.


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A record 143,400 people completed their apprenticeship in the 2008/09 academic year, according to data on vocational qualifications released today by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. This increase of 27.4 per cent compared to 2007/08 smashes all previous records, and means the Government has met its target to increase the number of apprenticeship completions two years early.
Statistics also showed that 239,900 people started an apprenticeship in the same academic year, representing the highest number of successful starts and completions ever in an academic year.
The overall success rate for apprenticeships was 70.9 per cent in 2008/09, significantly higher than the target success rate of 65 per cent, and the 37 per cent pass rate in 2004/05.
Apprenticeships Minister Kevin Brennan said:
“It’s great news that we’re seeing the highest ever number of people completing an apprenticeship, and that the success rates have jumped to over 70 per cent. I’d like to congratulate all the people who have successfully completed an apprenticeship, and all the businesses who continue to offer apprenticeships, even in difficult economic times.
“The figures speak for themselves: they show that apprenticeships today are rightly regarded as an excellent way to train and build the nation’s skills. As we rebuild growth, it’s essential that we continue to invest in people and their skills, especially in industries key to our future economic success.
“This Government has rescued and rebuilt apprenticeships from a low base in 1997, making significant investments and trebling apprenticeship numbers in order to provide opportunities for people to train for the jobs of the future. We know that business values the apprenticeship highly because this training is providing the skilled workers British businesses need for the future and Government remains committed to making it easier for businesses to offer them.”
Today’s statistical first release covers the number of people aged 16 and over in Further Education in England and who have taken a course funded by the Learning and Skills Council.
Other figures show that in the academic year 2008/09:

People started 817,400 qualifications through Train to Gain, and successfully completed 543,100 qualifications;
Overall, over 1.4 million Train to Gain courses have been started since the scheme was launched in April 2006 and over 850,000 people so far have gained a qualification;

Train to Gain is the Government’s flagship service to help employers improve the skills of their employees and the productivity of their businesses.

Other provisional findings from the statistical first release include:

People participated in 1,442,600 skills for life courses in 2008/09, in literacy, numeracy or English;
Overall, between 2000/01 and 2008/09, provisional data shows 3.24 million working age adults have improved their basic skills and gained a national qualification through the Government’s skills for life strategy.

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More than 600 new jobs in the cultural, creative and sport sectors were announced by Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw today, in a range of projects aimed at getting young people out of unemployment and onto the first rung of the career ladder.
Future Jobs Fund money is today confirmed for jobs around England and Wales in sectors as diverse as theatres and music venues, digital archiving, media production and the furthering the Olympic sporting legacy.
Ben Bradshaw said:
“I am very pleased to announce today 624 new jobs in the sport and cultural sectors, the latest in a total of 10,000 we will be funding in these sectors through the Future Jobs Fund.
“And these are great jobs – jobs in sectors that can be really tough to break into, that are usually the preserve of better off children whose parents have the contacts to get them a foot in the door.
“This £5m announcement will ensure that help goes where it is really needed, to young people who might otherwise be in danger of falling into long term unemployment. By getting people into skilled work we are investing in future generations.”
DCMS has today confirmed funding for:

200 jobs nationwide, lead by Creative and Cultural Skills. Government funding will create a range of positions in cultural organisations and community venues including theatres and live music venues, with roles ranging from community arts practitioner to event management, technical operations, marketing and communications.
142 jobs will be created by English Heritage, working on the digitisation of 30,000 images of Wiltshire and making them easily accessible to local schools and community groups and over the internet. These jobs will help young people in Swindon to learn about archives; getting hands-on experience with photographic material which will improve their knowledge of the local and national historic environment.
31 jobs in the London Borough of Newham, working in performing arts venues with training provided by Newham Sixth Form College. Run by New Deal of the Mind, the jobs will be based at the Stratford Circus performing arts venue and include media production assistants, community learning assistants and youth mentors.
51 jobs working at the National Association of Clubs for Young People, an organisation with a track record of helping young people through participation in sports, creative arts, training and volunteering. Jobs will include activity officers, youth work apprentices and IT staff.
200 jobs across the West Midlands, co-odinated by the Skills Partnership and making a major contribution towards the region’s Olympics legacy. Working as School Physical Activity Co-ordinators in Birmingham, Walsall, Sandwell, Solihull and Dudley, these jobs involve working alongside teaching staff engaging young people in physical activities in breakfast, lunch and after school clubs.

The Future jobs Fund is a DWP initiative that aims to create 120,000 jobs for young people aged 18- 24 who have been unemployed for 6 months. It forms part of the Young Persons Guarantee and contributes to the Backing Young Britain Campaign.
The DCMS has committed to contributing 10,000 jobs within this, 5,000 in sport and 5,000 in culture. Minister for Employment Jim Knight said: "I am delighted that more than 600 of the 2800 jobs announced today are in the cultural, creative and sport sectors - this brings the total number of Future Jobs Fund jobs created so far to 98,000. "Its great that we have been able to encourage high quality bids from arts and sports organisations and give young people the opportunity to get real jobs and valuable experience in the creative industry - one of the main growth industries of the future. "Government is working with the public, private and voluntary sectors to create these job opportunities as part of our Backing Young Britain campaign helping young people get a foot on the career ladder."


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The Government welcomed news that the number of people claiming unemployment benefit - Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) - has fallen for the first time in 21 months.
Ministers said the figures showed that policies to help people back to work were keeping unemployment much lower than in previous recessions. But with unemployment expected to keep rising in the New Year, Work and Pensions Secretary Yvette Cooper pledged to keep increasing help for the unemployed.
Today’s employment figures published by the Office for National Statistics show: - Number of people claiming JSA fell by 6,300 on the month to 1.63 million (5pc compared to around 10pc in the 80s and 90s) - The number of young people claiming JSA fell very slightly by 300 on the month. - ILO unemployment rose by 21,000 on the quarter to 2.49 million (7.9%). - The number of young people classed as ILO unemployed rose by 6,000 on the quarter to 952,000, however 276,000 of them are students in full time education. - Excluding full time students, the number of young people ILO unemployed fell by 9,000 to 676,000 - The number of people in work has increased by 53,000 on the quarter. Other signs that the labour market has strengthened include a small increase in the number of vacancies of 1,000 over the quarter and 18,000 over the month and a small drop of 1,000 in the number of people economically inactive despite a 75,000 increase in the number of students in the inactive group. The figures also demonstrate the impact of government policy to increase education and training places for young people as the number in full time education has gone up by nearly 150,000 on the quarter.
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Yvette Cooper said:
“It is encouraging that there are more people in jobs as we get near to Christmas, and also that so many more young people have been helped. Government action is keeping unemployment much lower than in previous recessions.
But it is still tough for a lot of people and we still expect unemployment to increase again in the New Year. So we are determined to do more, supporting a total of 400,000 extra youth opportunities over the next 18 months."
Ministers are concerned that in the 80s and 90s unemployment continued to rise for a long time after the recession ended and they are determined unemployment should come down further and faster this time. They believe the figures show they are right to press ahead with the radical reforms announced in yesterday’s White Paper Building Britain’s Recovery: Achieving Full Employment.
In Parliament yesterday Yvette Cooper confirmed that from January everyone under 25 will be guaranteed a job, training or work experience after six months on unemployment benefit, providing 100,000 extra youth opportunities on top of 300,000 already announced.
To ensure work is always the best financial option yesterday’s White Paper also set out that every person on benefit for at least six months, whatever their age, would be at least £40 per week better off when moving into work.
As part of the Government’s continued support for young people it unveiled the next 2,800 jobs to be created for the young and long term unemployed through the Future Jobs Fund – bringing to 98,000 the total number of jobs announced through the Fund so far. Employment Minister Jim Knight said: “Today I am pleased to announce that a further 2,800 jobs will be created for unemployed young people - including youth workers, events managers, IT repairers, medical laboratory assistants and energy specialists. This brings the total number of Future Jobs Fund jobs created so far to 98,000.” ”Government is working with the public, private and voluntary sectors to create these job opportunities as part of our Backing Young Britain campaign – helping young people get a foot on the career ladder and ensuring no one is written off.”


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New proposals to allow councils to put in place 20 mph schemes over groups of streets without the need for traffic calming measures such as speed humps were announced today by Road Safety Minister Paul Clark.
The Government is encouraging local councils to introduce 20 mph schemes into residential streets and other roads where cycle and pedestrian traffic is high, such as around schools, shops and parks.
In the past, councils wanting to implement 20 mph schemes on groups of roads have had to do so in ‘zones’ which require traffic calming measures such as speed humps. 20 mph limits without traffic calming were only recommended on individual roads.
However, following a successful city-wide trial in Portsmouth which suggested it is possible to significantly reduce speeds on residential streets without speed humps or other traffic calming measures, the Department for Transport plans to allow 20mph limits to be used across more streets where traffic speeds are already low without the need for such measures.
Paul Clark said: "The number of people killed and seriously injured on Britain's roads has fallen by 40% since the mid-1990s and Britain now has the joint safest roads in the world. But too many pedestrians and cyclists – including many children – are still being killed or hurt on the roads around their homes and schools.
“We have seen that 20 mph zones with traffic calming measures can make a real difference to the safety of local roads. But we’ve also looked at the latest research and listened to councils and residents who want to introduce 20mph limits on a series of roads where physical traffic calming measures aren’t possible or practical.
“Allowing councils to put in place 20 mph speed limits on more streets without speed humps or chicanes will mean that they can introduce them at a lower cost and with less inconvenience to local residents.”
Last week a report published in the British Medical Journal found that 20 mph zones in London had led to a dramatic reduction in the number of accidents in those areas and called for more 20 mph zones and limits to be put in place.
The Government is also reiterating its call for councils to carry out speed limit reviews of their rural roads by 2011, focussing on National Speed Limit single carriageway ‘A’ and ‘B’ roads where 41% of fatalities occur. Local authorities should consider reducing the limit on the most dangerous roads where this will have a significant impact on casualties. These decisions remain entirely for local authorities to make based on their knowledge of local roads.
The Department for Transport is seeking the views of local councils on these proposals in order to allow new guidance to be published at the earliest available opportunity.


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The National Identity Card will be available to residents across the North West including those who live and work in Cheshire, Merseyside, Lancashire and Cumbria from January next year, it was announced today.
The news follows the successful launch of the service to those living and working in Greater Manchester.
The £30 identity cards provide a secure and convenient way for people to prove their identity when they are undertaking individual transactions or buying age-restricted goods. The cards can also be used in place of a passport for travel throughout Europe.
Home Office Minister responsible for identity cards, Meg Hillier said:
"We have always said that after the initial rollout to residents of Greater Manchester, we would seek to expand the scheme across the North West as soon as possible.
"Today’s exciting announcement is the next stage in offering voluntary identity cards to everyone living in the UK.
"Identity cards are already proving themselves extremely useful in daily life, from opening a bank account to entering a nightclub, and for travel to Europe."
Notes to Editors
1. Identity Minister Meg Hillier today signed a Commencement Order allowing anyone who lives or works in Cheshire, Merseyside, Lancashire and Cumbria, and holds a current or recently expired British passport, to apply for a National Identity Card from 4 January 2010.
2. It was also announced today that the Identity and Passport Service offices in Liverpool and Blackburn will be upgraded to allow identity card enrolment from February 2010.
3. Individuals can get more information or make an appointment for an identity card by calling 0300 330 0000.
4. Further information on the National Identity Service for individuals, can be found at http://www.direct.gov.uk/idsmart, and for businesses at www.businesslink.gov.uk/idsmart.
Contacts

NDS Enquiries
Phone: For enquiries please contact the above department
ndsenquiries@coi.gsi.gov.uk


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Over 400 hundred charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises have today been awarded over £3.6million in grants between them to help provide vital services during the tough economic times.
Today’s awards were the final grants to be allocated in phase two of the Government’s £16.5 million Modernisation Fund. The fund has provided 521 charities and voluntary organisations grants worth over £4.8million in total since phase two was launched in September.
The Modernisation Fund, which was launched as part of the Government’s Real Help for Communities Action Plan, was set up to help frontline voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises be more resilient and efficient through the recession.
The fund helps strengthen organisations that provide services to those worst hit by the economic downturn by supporting them to collaborate with others, merge, or develop in other ways to respond to difficult times.
Minister for the Third Sector, Angela Smith said:
"I am really pleased to be able to announce that over 400 charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises have received grants worth £10,000 each to help them become more resilient and efficient in tough economic times."
"This vital funding will not only strengthen these organisations by helping them with the cost of mergers and partnership working, but also helps them continue to provide services through difficult times."
The Modernisation Fund Grants programme is delivered by Capacitybuilders. The first phase of the programme offered grants of £1000 to frontline organisations working in areas of importance to communities affected by the economic downturn. The grants were for organisations to access advice and support, focusing in particular on the benefits that organisations may gain from collaboration or merger.
Following this organisations who received a grant could from September apply for a second phase of grants of up to £10,000 to make further progress towards collaboration or merger.
Ray Barwick, Manager of the Croydon Appliance Reuse Centre, which provides work experience and training opportunities for the long-term unemployed and those with learning disabilities, said:
"We want to be fully self-sustaining. Instead of trying to get public funding we want to concentrate on getting new contracts and after our advisory sessions (funded through phase one of the programme) we feel that collaboration is the best way forward. We’re now looking for a consultant to support us in our communications with the other partner and help bring everything to a successful conclusion."
The Fund also includes a loans programme delivered by the Social Investment Business to charities and voluntary organisations with existing plans for mergers and collaboration or who wish to take forward other activity to help their business prepare for difficult times.
The Modernisation Fund is part of the £42.5 million package of measures announced in the Government’s Real Help for Communities Action Plan in February 09.


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Today further government funding becomes available for business and community organisations, such as schools and hospitals, to help towards the cost of buying and installing biomass-fuelled heating and combined heat & power projects in England.
Today further government funding becomes available for business and community organisations, such as schools and hospitals, to help towards the cost of buying and installing biomass-fuelled heating and combined heat & power projects in England.
£4 million is available overall under Round 6 of the Bio-energy Capital Grants scheme, with grants up to £500,000 on offer to individual projects. These would pay for up to 40% of the difference in cost between a biomass boiler and its fossil fuel alternative.
Launching Round 6, Energy and Climate Change Minister Lord Hunt said:
"As the world works towards a global deal on Copenhagen, back in Britain we are continuing to find greener ways to do business. We expect bio-energy to supply a third of our renewable energy by 2020 and these grants will help support that. By March 2011 we plan to have 200 additional boilers installed, generating 87MW of biomass heat and over 72,000 tonnes of annual carbon savings.”
The Bio-energy Capital Grants scheme will make up funding available to organisations who wish to install biomass boilers or Combined Heat and Power systems, including anaerobic digesters. These create energy from biomass such as wood chips and miscanthus, or from waste. The scheme has already assisted the installation of 458 biomass boilers in a wide range of buildings in both the private and public sectors.
Nottinghamshire County Council have installed biomass boilers in over 50 schools in the county under the scheme. There was also a grant to support the 2MW biomass installation at Stansted Airport.


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Businesses are saving nearly £3 billion a year due to the Government’s Simplification programme which aims to get rid of unnecessary paperwork - saving firms time, money and hassle - according to the latest report published today.
The summary report, published by the Better Regulation Executive, detailed how more than 280 changes to regulations have helped save UK businesses around £2.9 billion a year so far. New simplifications introduced in the last 12 months, which have made life simpler for businesses, include:
-creating a more flexible way for employers and employees to resolve disputes at work; -no longer testing every spirit optic; and -digital tachographs for HGVs.
Ian Lucas, Minister for Business and Regulatory Reform, said:
“Simplification is making a real difference to the everyday lives of businesses, helping to make things as simple as possible, saving more than £8 million a day, every day.
“Individual measures may look small but it is overall impact that adds up to real savings. And support from the business community has helped make sure that savings to businesses are felt on the ground.
“But the programme also shows real change across government in its attitude towards regulation. Delivering the right business environment to promote growth relies on creating a flexible regulatory framework that minimises costs to business but ensures essential protections and rights are in place. Better regulation, with simplification at its core, is making that possible.”
An independent panel including representatives from the business community has tested whether simplification measures were effectively communicated to businesses and were felt in the ground. In May this year, this Panel again scrutinised the Government’s delivery and validates 77.5% of the Programme’s gross savings.
The Government is on track to meet its target of cutting the administrative burden on businesses by 25 per cent by May 2010 that will deliver an expected £3.3 billion in annual net savings.
The report also details how government has delivered more than 30 per cent net reduction of the amount of information requests from central government on front-line public sector workers, such as nurses and police, and how it has cut more than £1.3 billion in wider costs of complying with regulation.
The Government recently announced a new commitment to cut the costs of regulation further, by £6.5 billion by 2015. This was part of a package of measures to strengthen the management of regulation with the publication of the Government’s regulatory programme until April 2011 and the creation and set up of a new independent scrutiny body to advise on the costs and benefits of new regulation.
The Government announced in the Pre-Budget Report that it has already identified potential savings of over £1 billion towards the new target. Recognising the importance of ensuring that the programme focuses its attention on the areas which are of greatest concern for business, the Government is today launching a call for evidence, to enable business and other interested parties to feed in suggestions of which regulatory activities place disproportionate costs on business, compared to the benefits delivered, and to propose action that will reduce or remove these costs.


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The government today set out a new role for regional development agencies and local authorities to back growing industries and support the country’s future economic success.
A new national framework published today – Partnerships for Growth – sets out plans to coordinate the work of RDAs and local authorities to promote the industries that will drive growth and pursue national priorities for skills, innovation, investment and enterprise.
RDAs and local authorities across the country will collaborate more closely to build on their local strengths, while ensuring public investments are targeted at the projects where they can have most impact.
Under the Partnerships for Growth plan:
· Key objectives will be to raise the rate of sustainable economic growth, increase employment and reduce gaps in growth rates between regions.
· The government, local authorities and RDAs will work together to identify sectors for targeted intervention and coordinated support that can unlock future growth.
· The RDAs will have a new role in setting priorities for skills funding and will work with national and local partners to join up support for innovation, infrastructure and enterprise.
· The RDAs will work with local authorities and city-region partnerships to agree local priorities and ensure a supportive business environment through action on transport, planning, housing and regulation.
Regional Economic Development Minister Rosie Winterton said:
“Changing economic times create new challenges and we must ensure every region benefits from the opportunities for growth provided by the recovery.
Over the last 10 years RDAs and local authorities have strengthened our economy, supporting the businesses that drive growth and developing the infrastructure of our regions.
During the economic recovery RDAs must play a key role and build on coordination with local authorities and national government. We need joined-up action at national, regional and local levels so that people and businesses get the greatest possible help to increase prosperity.
Established links with businesses in their regions mean RDAs can direct investment to the projects where it will have most impact in creating the creative, strong and highly-skilled economy we need to succeed.”
The New Industry, New Jobs strategy published earlier this year set out the need to ensure all government action is supportive of business including key industries of the future.
RDAs are set to invest an estimated £1.1bn in support of the New Industry New Jobs strategy over the next 18 months. This follows investments of £900m already made by RDAs in priority sectors.
Projects where RDAs are collaborating with others to promote priority sectors identified by New Industry New Jobs include:
· Manufacturing Technology Centre, Coventry (AWM and EMDA)
· Bioscience Park, Stevenage (part-funded by EEDA, the UK Strategic Investment Fund and Technology Strategy Board)
· Environmentally Friendly Engine aerospace project (part-funded by SWDA, EMDA, AWM and NW RDA)
· Supply Chain Initiative to support development of supply chain for high value materials and components in the expanding printable electronics market (Northern Way)
Mick Laverty, Chief Executive at Advantage West Midlands, said:
“This framework gives RDAs a central role in driving sustainable economic growth. We are business-led and business-liked organisations which have a good track record of translating national policy into on-the-ground delivery in the regions.
“There are few other public sector bodies which are able to offer this degree of simplicity or speed, which benefits national government, local authority partners and business alike.
“The RDA model of generating wealth by targeting funding where it makes most impact to deliver maximum value for money, is a model that works. Every £1 invested by RDAs generates at least £4.50 in return.”


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Thousands of carers are set to benefit from improved employment support from today, giving them the chance to combine paid work with caring and help reduce financial hardship.
Jobcentre Plus customers with caring responsibilities will also be able to access replacement care funding while they are taking part in employment training.
Yvette Cooper, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions said: “Many carers really want to work, but find it hard to get the support or flexible work they need, to combine it with caring for relatives.
“We know that one in five carers have left or turned down a job because of their caring responsibilities. That is why it’s so important to give carers extra help, advice, funding for replacement or respite care and easier access to training too.”
Imelda Redmond, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said: “With three in five people caring for an ill or disabled relative at some point in their lives, how to juggle work and care is something we may all need to think about at some point. Replacement care to allow access to training and support, and staff with the expertise to help with the real challenges that face those trying to juggle work and care, are big steps towards giving carers new opportunities to stay in or return to work.”
The extra support announced today includes:
Ensuring carers have access to appropriate employment programmes – including one-to-one work focused support for carers - Funding for replacement care for participation in approved activities - A Care Partnership Manager in every Jobcentre Plus district - Specialist training for advisers who work with carers.


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THE CBT ANNOUNCES GROWTH THROUGH RECESSIONARY PERIOD