Date:              30 May 2008
Embargo:       None

New Proposals for UK Legislation

The Prime Minister recently presented the Government’s draft legislative programme for the 2008-09 Parliamentary session beginning in November 2008, identifying two proposed Bills of interest to the sector.

First, a business rates supplement Bill would “give upper tier local authorities the ability to levy a local supplement of up to 2 pence per pound of rateable value on the business rate for economic development”. Second, an education and skills Bill will aim to improve schools and reform England’s skills and apprenticeship system. ESA will assess these Bills when they are available.

The Prime Minister also announced that there will be a public consultation in the summer on options for increasing use of renewable energy in the UK to meet EU targets: ESA will respond.

In other Parliamentary activity, the final stages of the Planning Bill in the House of Commons will take place on 2 June (Report Stage) and 9 June (Third Reading), after which the Bill will transfer to the House of Lords for consideration. ESA will continue to follow its progress.

ENDS

Links: Draft Legislative Programme 2008-09, Gordon Brown Speech and Planning Bill