A legal update on the main March 2011 Budget announcements of interest to public sector lawyers.
On 23 March 2011, the Chancellor, George Osborne made his Budget Statement to the House of Commons.
Announcements of interest to the public sector include:
The establishment of 21 new Enterprise Zones, which will provide a range of methods to encourage local growth, including a 100% business rate discount for businesses that move into an Enterprise Zone during the course of this Parliament.
The announcement of a further £100 million funding for local authorities to repair potholes.
Further proposals to sell government property and other assets.
Further plans to streamline the current planning application system and to ensure the introduction of a fast-track planning system for major infrastructure.
Introducing a new presumption in favour of sustainable development and pilot land auctions, starting with public sector land.
PLC has also produced a landing page linking to all of its 2011 Budget coverage, which will be updated during the course of tomorrow with further commentary on the budget from leading practitioners.