A "major landmark" for the coalition government will help boost local economic growth, say ministers.

The Growth and Infrastructure Act became law on Thursday (25 April).

The government claims the law will encourage growth by reducing unnecessary bureaucracy, paving the way for new homes and jobs.

The Act was a major landmark for the coalition government, said planning minister Nick Boles.

"These new laws will reform our economy so it can boost investment, growth and jobs by streamlining a lot of confusing and overlapping red tape that all too often gets in the way of people's everyday lives."

The law aims to encourage business investment, housing development, new infrastructure and job creation. The government says it will:

* Kick-start urgently needed major infrastructure work that will generate thousands of new jobs and billions in new investment.

* Speed up super-fast broadband roll-out to local homes and firms, especially in rural Britain facing a 'digital divide'.

* Get building going on stalled housing sites by allowing the reconsideration of economically unviable requirements called Section 106 agreements.

* Help families to improve their home by reforming permitted development householder rights to remove excessive red tape on uncontentious, small-scale extensions.

* Speed up development procedures with a simpler planning system that supports sustainable growth.

Communities secretary Eric Pickles said "common sense reforms" would make it possible for local businesses to grow and to create the jobs and opportunities people needed to get on in life.

He said: "It will unlock British entrepreneurship that has been jammed up for too long in red tape whilst ensuring democratic checks and environmental safeguards remain in place."

The law will prevent unexpected hikes in business rates on local firms over the next five years, said the government.

Tax stability was vital as business rates were the third biggest outgoing for firms, it added.