The European Commission's Regional Aid Guidelines (RAG)
define the areas eligible for regional aid (the assisted areas) as
well as maximum aid limits and govern the operation of regional
aid schemes, such as Regional Selective Assistance. The current
guidelines expire at the end of 2006.
On 21 December 2005, the Commission adopted new regional aid
guidelines which apply from 1 January 2007 until 31 December 2013.
These offer a considerable increase in the UK coverage proposed
previously - up from 9.1% to 23.9% (current coverage is 30%).
UK wide consultation on the review of the assisted areas is underway.
Stage 1 asked for views on the designation of future assisted areas -
the economic criteria and geographical areas to be used. Stage 2,
launched on 10 July, contains the Government response to Stage 1
and a draft proposed Assisted Area map for the period 2007-13.
The consultation requested views on these findings and the draft map
and closed on 7 August. Information and analysis, including the
ward level data used to develop the draft map, is now available.
The Regional Aid Review team held an Informal Session on 26 July,
for Scottish stakeholders.
All consultation responses were carefully considered and a response
to the consultation, including the map of UK Assisted Areas submitted
to the European Commission, has been published. The Commission
approved the UK Assisted Areas map on 20 December. The Assisted
Areas map will now be implemented through UK legislation.
The Assisted Areas are those areas designated eligible for regional aid
available through schemes such as Regional Selective Assistance (RSA).
In addition a new scheme will operate from January. This will extend
RSA type grant assistance to small and medium sized enterprises in
parts of south, central and east Scotland in areas which will no longer
benefit from RSA support, as well as other areas where the need to
support and grow SMEs has been identified. A list of wards and a
map illustrating the SME coverage have been published.
If you have any questions about the Assisted Areas map, contact the
State Aid Unit.
DTI Assisted Areas review website.