10/03/2011

Business Group Calls For Radical Budget To Get Britain Trading

A leading business group has called on George Osborne to deliver a Budget which will revolutionise trading conditions for Britain's smaller firms.

The Forum of Private Business is arguing that the Chancellor could, at little or no expense, put in place several key measures which would radically transform the fortunes of small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

In line with its recently-launched campaign, Get Britain Trading, the Forum wants to see the Government take action on crucial business issues including red tape, tax, finance and late payment.

If trading conditions for smaller businesses are drastically improved, the Forum believes, the SME sector will drive growth in the wider UK economy and provide much-needed jobs to help tackle Britain's widespread levels of unemployment.

Forum Chief Executive Phil Orford said: "This year, the Forum is calling on the Chancellor to deliver a Budget which will well and truly Get Britain Trading.

"In our submission to the Government, we are calling for a number of radical but realistic measures which would, if put in place, transform the fortunes of smaller firms across the UK.

"In line with our recently-launched Get Britain Trading campaign, we want to see some groundbreaking policies put in place to help businesses tackle persistent problems like access to finance, late payment and needless over-regulation."

Mr Orford added: "We appreciate that some of the factors contributing to the UK's current economic predicament are outside the Government's control. However, many factors are not and we firmly believe there are plenty of things the Coalition could do, at no little or no cost, which would genuinely improve trading conditions for SMEs.

"Our Budget submission aims to highlight these proposals and raise awareness of the obstacles currently preventing smaller businesses from realising their potential and driving forward economic growth."

(BMcN/GK)

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