Charities and businesses asked to submit ideas for Autumn Statement

Charities and businesses have been invited to tell the Treasury what they want from the chancellor’s upcoming Autumn Statement.

George Osborne will deliver the economic statement the parliament on December 3, updating MPs on the government’s latest plans for spending and taxation.

As one of only two such statements – the other being the annual budget – the statement will offer an important insight into the Treasury’s plans, just six months ahead of the 2015 general election. 

Announcing the date in the House of Commons yesterday, Osborne said, “The core purpose of the Treasury is to ensure the stability and prosperity of the economy. 

“That is delivered by our long-term plan and I can tell the house the plan will be further expanded on at the Autumn Statement.”

This year, the Treasury is also appealing for the views of the public while forming the statement.

“In the interest of open and transparent policy-making, the government welcomes original and innovative ideas, which will be considered by HM Treasury as part of the policy-making process,” the Treasury said. 

Business, charities and members of the public can submit their views to autumnstatementrepresentations@hmtreasury.gsi.gov.uk.

The Treasury has called for any submissions to be made by October 17.

Last year, Osborne’s statement was criticised by environmentalists for handing tax-breaks to the shale gas industry and amending green taxes. It was, however, praised for offering tax reliefs to the social economy. 

Further reading:

Autumn statement: Osborne delivers a win for social investment but omits environment

Autumn statement: the reaction

Autumn statement: financial advisers talk social investment tax relief

Autumn statement: sustainable investment industry calls on Osborne to back renewables

Autumn statement: green NGOs reveal their wishlist