How will the Budget 2017 affect people with arthritis?

On 22nd November, the Chancellor Phillip Hammond, announced the Government’s plans for taxation and spending. Our policy, public affairs and campaigns teams have been working hard to increase the Government’s investment into services that will benefit people with arthritis, as well as trying to protect budgets which are at risk of reduction.If you are affected by arthritis, here are the top four topics you need to know about.Science and research– industrial strategyTo meet our ambition of finding new treatments, and eventually a cure, for arthritis, it’s essential that money is invested in the life sciences sector. It’s life sciences such as biology and medicine that develop new treatments and therapies. The budget delivered welcome news for the research sector, with life sciences specifically highlighted as an area where the Government wants the UK to be a world-leader. The Chancellor provided further detail on previously announced funding, in support of the Government’s Industrial Strategy. Announcements included:The funding for the National Productivity Investment Fund will increase to over£31 billion, up from£23 billion in the Autumn Statement.£820 million of this is earmarked for research and development (R&D) in 2018/19.There has been an increase in the R&D expenditure credit available to businesses.Immigration rules will change making it easier for highly skilled researchers to enter and stay in the UK.Healt...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news