Alistair Darling
BUSINESS leaders in the region last night expressed their disappointment with yesterday’s Budget speech.
They say little has been done to help business through the current economic downturn.
Norman Lay, chairman of the Liverpool Federation of Small Businesses branch, said: "We are very disappointed that this Budget will do nothing for those firms that are trying to hold on to valued employees.
"A government-funded wage subsidy for short- time working would have been a real help, but was totally ignored."
Merseyside’s business leaders were responding to a Budget speech that saw the top rate of tax increased to 50p in the pound, but which left public spending plans largely untouched.
Liverpool Chamber of Commerce director Brian McCann said: "We were very disappointed to see fuel duty was increased again."
