Budget 'won't help small firms'

Most small firms believe the Budget will have no real impact on the day-to-day running of their business, a report has revealed.

The Federation of Small Businesses said a poll of 800 of its members found that more than a third said the Chancellor's announcements would have a positive effect, while one in five said the outcome would be negative.

Chairman John Walker said: "The Budget was pro-business and we are pleased that the Government has listened to some of our concerns and has extended small business rate relief and scrapped the planned 1p rise in fuel duty and the escalator.

"But, as the results from the poll show, the Budget has not hurt small businesses, but it won't help them to grow either.

"While we welcome the introduction of Enterprise Zones across parts of the UK, the missing link in the Budget was measures to help all UK businesses to take on staff and grow their business."