B72: Budget 2010- Headline results

Alistair Darling delivered the last Budget before the general election against the backdrop of an economy slowly emerging from recession. With a record deficit of £167 billion, the budget had to demonstrate a balance between placating the markets with policies that would reduce the country’s debt while making sure these policies did not stifle the economic recovery.

This Bulletin summarises the key headline messages from the Budget that have an impact on economic development and regeneration. Some of the more interesting messages are the extension of the Future Jobs Fund, the acknowledgement of the power of procurement to stimulate the SME sector and the introduction of Accelerated Development Zones to finance major infrastructure projects.