Local Authority round-up 24/11/23
24th November, 2023
Our Local Authority round up provides brief summaries of topical information on a weekly basis, to keep you aware of the changes and updates relevant to you.
Commercial
Record increase to National Living Wage
The Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced an almost 10% pay boost in the National Living Wage, increasing from £10.42 to £11.44 an hour. This increase will deliver a pay rise of more than £1,800 a year for a full-time worker, as the rise seeks to fulfil the Government’s pledge to end low pay for those on the National Living Wage.
In addition, eligibility for the National Living Wage will also be extended by reducing the age threshold to 21-year-olds. As a result, a 21-year-old worker will see a 12.4% pay increase, from £10.18 this year to £11.44, worth almost £2,300 a year.
Younger workers will also see an increase as 18-20-year-old workers will receive a wage boost to £8.60 per hour, which is a £1.11 hourly pay bump.
The Department for Business and Trade has estimated that 2.7 million workers will directly benefit from the 2024 National Living Wage increase.
For more information please click here.
£1 billion investment into Round 3 of the Government’s ‘Levelling Up Scheme’
The Government announced new funding for Round 3 of the ‘Levelling Up’ Scheme, investing £1 billion into 55 projects to boost high streets and improve transport links.
The £1 billion investment has been allocated across Great Britain, with the North West receiving £128 million, the North East £59 million, Yorkshire and the Humber £169 million and the Midlands £171 million.
The investment has created 19 projects across the North East, North West and Yorkshire and the Humber, equalling a total of £356 million in levelling up funding. These projects include (among others) £15.4 million to transform Blackpool town centre, improving access to public transport, and infrastructure for cyclists, as well as £19.4 million to create a restoration facility, in Newcastle Upon Tyne, aimed at sustaining the use of the river and access to quays to support economic activities.
This full list of projects can be found here.
Planning and housing
£32 million additional funding for planning and housing
The Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced an additional £32 million will be invested across housing and planning to “unlock thousands of homes across the country”. This includes funding to tackle planning backlogs in Local Planning Authorities (LPAs).
The Chancellor has also announced an intention to accelerate the expansion of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, as well as consult on amending the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to ensure the planning system prioritises the rollout of EV charge points and charging hubs.
To read the Chancellor’s statement in full, please click here.
If you have any questions about the issues raised in this update, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Please note that this briefing is designed to be informative, not advisory and represents our understanding of English law and practice as at the date indicated. We would always recommend that you should seek specific guidance on any particular legal issue.
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