Local Authority round-up 26/01/24
25th January, 2024
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
Government pledges to help fund UK professionals export their services internationally
The Government is committing £500,000 to help UK professionals such as architects, auditors and accountants export their services internationally.
It is anticipated that grants of up to £75,000 will be awarded to UK regulators and professional bodies as part of the Recognition Arrangements Grant programme. The fund seeks to facilitate deals with counterparts around the world to help make it easier, quicker and cheaper for UK professionals to have their qualifications recognised overseas. It is hoped that the grant will reduce the need for professionals to gain additional qualifications in foreign countries which can be both costly and bureaucratic.
Greater global recognition agreements can help businesses and professionals access new markets and reduce barriers to trade. The funding follows previous success such as:
- Agreements between the UK’s Financial Reporting Council and their New Zealand and Swiss counterparts for auditors, allowing UK audit firms to sell their services more easily in those countries.
- Work towards arrangements in sectors like legal services, accountancy and architecture with a range of jurisdictions such as Morocco, Hong Kong, and India.
The Recognition Arrangements Grant programme will run until 31st March 2025.
For more information please click here.
Planning and Housing
Government announces £600 million boost for councils
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has pledged an extra £600 million in council funding, which will be added to the Local Government Finance Settlement for 2024-25, in order to support local authorities in delivering key services.
The Government has stated that the additional funding will mainly be provided to local authorities who are responsible for adults and children in social care, and will be distributed through the Social Care Grant.
However, the Government has announced that all councils will see an increase in Core Spending Power of at least 4% through the Funding Guarantee before any local choices on council tax, efficiencies or reserves.
This funding builds on the £64 billion package already announced at the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement for 2024-25 and has been welcomed by leading local government organisations such as the Local Government Association.
For more information please click here.
Regulatory
Companies House to introduce new measures from March 2024
Companies House is aiming to introduce the first set of measures under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act on 4 March 2024.
The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act affords Companies House the power to engage in a more significant role in disrupting economic crime as well as supporting economic growth. The Act received Royal Assent on 26th October 2023.
The first set of changes introduced by the Act includes (among others) a requirement for all companies to supply a registered email address, greater powers to query information as well as the ability to share information with Government departments.
For more information please click here.
Upcoming Events
Seminar: Employment Law Update- Teesside
Register your interest for our seminar, led by Jamie Gamble and Hollie Ball, which will provide an employment law update, addressing what can be expected in 2024. This in person event will give you an opportunity to network with peers in Teesside as well as gain a better understanding of the latest developments and updates in employment law. The seminar is on Tuesday 30th January, 08:30am to 10:30am, at AV Dawson Middlesbrough.
For more information or to book your place, please click here.
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.
This page may contain links that direct you to third party websites. We have no control over and are not responsible for the content, use by you or availability of those third party websites, for any products or services you buy through those sites or for the treatment of any personal information you provide to the third party.
