D2N2 Briefing Autumn Statement 2016

Description: 

Future of ESIF – update following the Autumn Statement

The Autumn Statement provided no specific reference to ESIF funds however it did highlight a number of key points of particular interest to third sector partners including:

  • Unemployment now at an 11-year low
  • Welfare spending must remain within the cap set by Government and monitored by the OBR
  • Affordable housing is a ‘national priority’ with a number of measures identified.
  • Rural rate relief to be increased benefitting small rural businesses by up to £2900 per year
  • The taper rate for Universal Credit has been softened once claimants move into work but is still below the level of support previously provided under tax credits
  • National living wage increases and changes to national insurance thresholds will increase employer costs in the next financial year

 

From an ESIF perspective the feedback from Managing Authorities (DCLG and DWP) is ‘business as usual’ but with no artificial acceleration of programmes.

 

You can read the full D2N2 Autumn Statement Key Points Briefing here or view David Ralph’s article summarising impact for the D2N2 area on the website.