‘We’ve entered a second crucial phase of the campaign. As I look over the empty space and the trees beyond, I wonder how many times this campaign will be fought up and down the country as 3 million more homes go up.’
Earlier this month, chancellor Alistair Darling announced the Comprehensive Spending Review, how much each department will be given to spend for the next three years, and the pre-Budget report.
One of the key developments in the PBR was the decision to scrap the planning gain supplement in favour of standardised tariffs across local authority areas. “Charge income will be used entirely to fund the infrastructure identified through the development plan process,” Darling said. The details of the proposals will now be worked up.
Other highlights include:
- Department for Communities and Local Government
- Budget for the department will rise from £10.3bn in 2007-08 to £12.1bn in 2010-11.
- Grants to local authorities will increase to £26bn by 2010. This is only a 1% real terms fund increase, which the Local Government Association claims "will not enable councils to deliver the new services promised by government, or meet the cost of providing services to increasing numbers of older people and meeting the increasing cost of waste management."
Transport
- £16bn Crossrail given go ahead
- £15bn to be spent on railways between 2009-2014
Education
- Total education spending will rise to £92bn in 2010/11 from £77bn in 2007/08 – an average of 2.8% in real terms.
Environment and Rural Affairs
- Additional PFI funding for sustainable waste management options, rising from £280m in 2007-08 to £700m in 2010-11. Funding for flood and coastal erosion risk management will rise from £600m to £800m.
Culture, media and sport
- The government also outlined its contribution to the Olympics. The Games will cost £9.3bn, of which £6bn will come from the government. Of this, £3.6bn will be spent by April 2011, with government investment peaking at £1.6bn in the next financial year.
Source
RegenerateLive
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