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Press Release

Small business response to Budget speech

22 March 2006

Carol Undy, FSB National Chairman, gave the following reaction to the Chancellor’s 10th Budget speech:

“Previous Budgets have made the tax system complicated, so a year with few changes like this one is of some relief to our members, who will not have to deal with many more tax alterations.

“We would, however, have welcomed some mention of positive measures for hardworking small business owners.

“The Chancellor’s statements on employer involvement in further education are welcome. Small businesses need employees that have basic levels of education as well as valuable business skills. It remains to be seen whether the contents of the Budget speech are actually translated into practical improvements in skill levels.

“We welcome the freeze on fuel duty, but we would like to see it extended beyond September.

“We are concerned with the increase in the climate change levy from 2007, which is seen by our members as a straight tax, which does little to tackle climate change.

“Energy prices for small businesses have rocketed recently, so the promise to press for liberalisation of the European energy market is welcome. We will await the results with interest.”



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Federation of Small Businesses

Federation of Small Businesses

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