posted on 08 March 2017, updated on 08 March 2017

The Spring Budget was presented to Parliament on 8 March 2017, setting out economic forecasts and the government's taxation and spending plans.

Announcements affecting local government finance include an extra £2bn in funding for adult social care over three years, with £1bn of this total to be allocated in 2017/18. A Green Paper on social care is planned, to cover proposals “to put the systems on a more secure and sustainable long term footing”.

Changes to business rates include:

  • support for small businesses losing small business rate relief
  • a £1,000 discount for pubs with a rateable value of up to £100,000
  • £300m in funding for local authorities to provide discretionary relief to individual businesses in their area. 

Local authorities are to be compensated for the loss of business rates income as a result of these changes.

The full Budget Report and accompanying documents are available from HM Treasury via the link below.

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