Small firms give duty rises thumbs-down

A SMALL post-Budget poll showed small companies gave last week s Budget the thumbs-down, according to the Federation of Small Businesses. But the national vote of 321 firms does not represent the views of Huntingdonshire businesses. Most said the increase

A SMALL post-Budget poll showed small companies gave last week's Budget the thumbs-down, according to the Federation of Small Businesses.

But the national vote of 321 firms does not represent the views of Huntingdonshire businesses.

Most said the increase in fuel duty would have a negative impact, but two-thirds said the rise in alcohol duties would not affect them either way.

Nonetheless four out of five of those responding to the FSB poll felt very or quite negative about the UK economy, with just three per cent feeling positive. Two-thirds said it was not a Budget for small business.

There was some support for the provisions on investment in building projects, carry-back of loss relief and tax breaks on capital investment over �50,000, though in each case the majority of respondents said they would feel no impact.

FSB national policy chairman John Walker said: "Small businesses are the engine-room of the British economy, but they have been choked by the Budget with increases in fuel and alcohol duty incurring extra costs and little to help small firms struggling with cashflow.

"This survey shows that the Chancellor's Budget could have gone much further to support small firms.