WILTSHIRE Council are assessing the impact the Autumn statement will have on the county after it was announced today.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond addressed Parliament earlier today with the plans, which will see rural business rate relief increased from 50 per cent to 100 per cent and the commitment to deliver more affordable housing and investment in local transport.

Dick Tonge, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for finance, said: “The announcement today is broadly in line with our expectations.

“We will be looking carefully into the detail behind the headlines to see how these will impact on Wiltshire. We expect our detailed funding announcement to follow early December.

"We have a commitment to working with our partners on providing affordable housing so the additional government support on this is welcomed.

“We also welcome the investment in roads and research and development. We have a clear commitment to provide fibre broadband to as many as households and businesses as possible so any additional funding in this area is also welcome.

“Meanwhile we continue to review how we can work more efficiently and do everything we can to protect our key frontline services.”