Axing public notices will threaten local democracy, Cleverly tells Rayner
In a letter to Angela Rayner, the shadow local government secretary said suggestions that statutory notices could be scrapped raised 'concerning questions' about the future of local journalism.
He told the PA news agency Government changes had been proposed 'without any consideration' of the effect on local press and could have the 'perverse effect of making it harder for many pubs and clubs to operate.'
Last month, the Chancellor said she would look at dropping the requirement for venues such as pubs and restaurants to advertise licensing applications in local newspapers, in a bid to cut red tape for the hospitality sector.
Sir James demanded the Government share its assessments of how the move would affect the press amid industry fears that it could interfere with the public's right to know and lead to revenue losses for local journalism.
He said that while there was scope to reform the statutory notice regime, 'rather than embracing innovation, it would appear that the Government intends to axe support entirely'.
Sir James told PA: 'Labour don't have a clue about the pub and hospitality industry.
'Labour are tying them in red tape and higher taxes. Their proposed changes to licensing rules could have the perverse effect of making it harder for many pubs and clubs to operate.
'Labour's proposed changes to notification on licensing changes has been made without any consideration on the effect on local newspapers, or how to best ensure that the public know about matters which affect their lives.
'Local democracy needs an independent free press, so empowered local representatives are held to account, and local residents have their voice listened to.'
In his letter to Ms Rayner, who is Deputy Prime Minister and also Local Government Secretary, Sir James said: 'If local newspapers close down this will be to the detriment of local democracy.
'The devolution of responsibility and finance to local government needs stronger local accountability and transparency to go hand in hand with new powers, and an independent free press is essential to this.'
Ministers last month announced a new licensing framework would aim to fast-track permissions for al fresco dining in dedicated areas and make it easier to open new venues.
Speaking to the Mail on Sunday, Ms Reeves said she would also look at removing the 'outdated rule that means (a business) needs to advertise in locally printed press when applying for a licence'.
The remarks prompted a backlash from industry figures, with the News Media Association warning the proposals would amount to a 'betrayal of local communities and the public's right to know'.
'Changing this would, at a stroke, disenfranchise local communities and deprive local journalism of a vital revenue stream,' News Media Association chief executive Owen Meredith said.
'Local pubs, like local papers, are at the heart of their communities and the Government should rightly support them.
'This proposal does nothing to help either.
'It is not a cut to bureaucratic red tape, as framed, but a damaging assault on democratic engagement.'
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The Asian rich list is a powerful rebuke to anti-immigrant rhetoric
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Telegraph
26 minutes ago
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Transferring even relatively modest amounts in this way could turn younger generations into future millionaires, according to accountancy firm RSM. The firm calculates that contributing the £2,880 maximum each year would give a grandchild a pension pot of £105,000 by the time they turn 23, assuming 4pc annual growth. Even if they don't save another penny, the pot would likely be worth over £607,000 by age 67. Annual returns of 5pc would boost this to over £1m. Chris Etherington, of RSM, says: 'There will usually be an upfront income tax cost to consider for anyone withdrawing sums from their pension. That should also be taken into account when determining the best course of action and the overall potential benefits. 'However, many may consider it makes sense to incur an upfront income tax liability so they can make gifts earlier and in turn, secure the financial future of generations to come while also reducing their inheritance tax exposure.' Ian Cook, of wealth management firm Quilter Cheviot, says decades of investment growth mean beneficiaries could net a 'substantial sum' by the time they come to retire. He added: 'Contributing to a child or grandchild's pension can be a smart way to pass on wealth without triggering an immediate inheritance tax bill. 'For some families, pensions are also appealing because the funds are locked away until at least the normal minimum pension age, currently 55, but rising to 57 in 2028. 'This avoids the concern that can come with gifting large sums into a junior Isa, where the recipient gains full control at 18, an age at which not everyone is ready to handle a significant windfall.' Growing wealth divide This strategy could prove to be a lifeline for the young people fortunate enough to inherit wealth. Experts have warned that Britain faces a 'pension savings crisis', as the current 8pc minimum contribution level is not enough to fund adequate retirements. Under auto-enrolment rules, employees put at least 5pc of their salaries into a pension, in addition to a minimum 3pc employer contribution and government tax relief. Labour has committed to not changing these rates during this Parliament. On current contribution rates, an average earner on a £35,000 salary risks falling £700,000 short of a 'comfortable' living standard in retirement, according to the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association, a trade body. Boomers – on average – have it better. Some are lucky enough to enjoy lucrative 'defined benefit' pensions which guarantee an inflation-linked income in retirement, based on final or average salary. These schemes are close to extinction in the private sector, as they have become too expensive for employers to maintain. They have been replaced by much less generous 'defined contribution' schemes, where the final value depends on how well investments perform. It's easy to see why many younger people see owning a nice house or having a good pension as impossible – unless they inherit it. Differences in pension wealth and the swelling value of homes have widened the generational wealth gap over the last 20 years. A study by the Resolution Foundation think tank found that between 2006-08 and 2018-20, median wealth among Britons in their 60s rose by 55pc in real terms, but for those in their 30s, it fell by 34pc. At the same time, the share of Britain's wealth held by the under-40s has fallen from 7.5pc in 2010 to 4pc today. Molly Bloome, of the Resolution Foundation, warns that younger generations are becoming more reliant on financial gifts, and that this form of trickle-down economics will only widen the generational wealth gap. 'There's a big element of luck at play – you can't choose who your parents are, and having wealthier parents obviously puts you in a much better position, especially if they own their own home.' But there is an implicit obligation attached to these transfers, she adds. 'It's a case of, 'Help me on to the housing ladder, then I'll help you pay for care in old age'. It's not just a one-way street.'
