Response to the Autumn Budget 2024
Dan Conway, CEO of the Publishers Association said: “This historic budget – the first by a female Chancellor and the first by Labour in 14 years – was always going to present a challenge to the new government as it seeks to address the nation’s funding gap, while at the same time trying to shore up public services and encourage economic growth.
“It’s good to see the creative industries, of which the £11 billion publishing sector is a cornerstone, heralded as one of our nation’s growth sectors and we welcome the government’s commitment to record funding levels for R&D, protecting association to the Horizon programme and ensuring that the UK remains a global leader in research. The increase in core budgets for schools is welcome, as is the commitment to providing £3 million to expand the Creative Careers Programme.
“However, the major headline for publishers – as with every business – will be assessing the impact of the Chancellor’s National Insurance rise, which will bring substantial additional costs in the year ahead.”