Bournemouth businesses call for Budget help

Businesses in Bournemouth have called for the Chancellor of the Exchequer to cut taxes and national insurance for companies in tomorrow’s Budget.

John Healey has promised to give people some “breathing space” from the cost-of-living pressures, and firms in Bournemouth have been speaking about what they want to see.  

Dan Winn-Morgan, from Southeast Business Brokers Ltd, spoke about the current issues small businesses in the area have been facing and what he would ideally like to see from the Budget. 

Dan works with business owners regularly, often helping them sell their businesses.  

He said: “The government sees business owners as cash cows, they’re trying to milk them for every last penny.”

Speculation suggests the Chancellor may increase the minimum for younger workers.

Dan said: “It’s great in theory but what its actually done is stopped people from taking on new employees.”  

He said in the ideal world he would like to see a reduction in taxation and national insurance. “I’d like to see an actual reduction in capital gains tax when a business is sold.”

Kara Hayward, owner of Green Label Kitchen, a small independent food business in Bournemouth, said that even though she doesn’t know what to expect from the Budget she would like to see more support for small businesses.  

She said: “Ever since lockdown we never got any help with our local business we had to do it ourselves. 

“I would like to see some support from the budget to help self-employers and their employees.”

Other measures tipped to be included in the Budget are tax-free mileage rates, removal of import tax on specific food items and the freezing of fuel duty.  

Motoring organisation RAC confirmed that diesel prices hit a record high of more than £2 a litre in October after the conflicts in the Middle East forced a rise in pricing.