Chancellor George Osborne delivers major boost for defibrillators campaign while mixed reaction among business leaders

Following our Save a Life in Schools campaign, Chancellor George Osborne yesterday announced that £1m will be made available for the life-saving devices.

The Daily Echo launched its campaign after quick-thinking staff used a defibrillator to save 16-year-old Sam Mangoro (pictured below) after he suffered a heart attack during a PE lesson at Mountbatten School in Romsey.

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The Chancellor’s pledge will see the cash going towards new defibrillators for public places, including schools, and has been welcomed by campaigners in Hampshire.

Graham Hunter’s 22-year-old daughter Claire Reed (above) died from a rare heart condition two years ago, just five months after her wedding.

Since then parish councillor Mr Hunter, from Botley, has campaigned for more defibrillators and spoke to the Chancellor earlier this year.

He welcomed the news on the funding, saying: “It’s brilliant.

“It’s long overdue but it’s better than just getting VAT off the devices, which we had previously called for, as it means people won’t have to raise all of the money themselves.

“It’s definitely a step in the right direction – we know they save lives and increase the possibility of survival.

“The Daily Echo campaign has helped to put this on the agenda and when I spoke to the Chancellor I talked to him about the Echo’s campaign.

“Now the next step is making sure this is implemented.”

The announcement was also welcomed by Romsey and Southampton North MP Caroline Nokes, who has supported Mr Hunter.

She said: “The money made available in the Budget is a real boost to the availability of defibrillators in public places and great news for campaigners like Graham.”

Meanwhile, while measures in the Budget such as the fuel duty freeze and a boost for broadband were welcomed, th Chancellor was also accused of not doing enough to help the south.

• BUDGET 2015: Chancellor George Osborne delivers pre-election budget

Mr Osborne spoke about devolution of various powers to regions across the UK, including control over business rates in Greater Manchester and Cambridge and funding for technology projects elsewhere in the north.

But there was no specific mention of the Solent in his speech, and some business leaders have called on the Chancellor to do more to help business here.

Simon Rhodes (pictured) , managing partner at Southampton-based Trethowans Solicitors and chairman of Future Southampton, said: “I think it’s good idea that we devolve more power to the regions but there needs to be an even hand in that we need to be able to do that too.

“Some of the measures for small and medium-sized business and large firms make it a positive Budget, but I think more needs to be done for the Solent and Southampton.”

And Business South chief executive Sally Thompson (pictured) said: “While we need to strengthen the north, we must ensure the south central region is not forgotten and our Solent cities should look at ways we can attract a similar deal.”

Another package unveiled was £7bn for transport infrastructure in the south-west, and Nursling-based Meachers Global Logistics’ Gary Whittle (pictured above) said: “It will be interesting to see what happens in our region as it’s important for the Government to continue to invest in our local transport infrastructure in what is a vital gateway for UK industry.”

Maureen Frost, deputy chief executive of the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, (pictured above) said: “The Chancellor understandably kept his overall focus on deficit reduction. However, he mentioned support for virtually all parts of the UK except the south-east.

"We would have liked to see more explicit measures announced for our region. The Government needs to invest in successful areas as well as others.

“We are disappointed with the lack of detail on business rates reform, something we have long campaigned for. The Chancellor previously acknowledged the need for far-reaching changes but said little in this Budget.”

• BUDGET 2015: Chancellor George Osborne delivers pre-election budget

Other measures were positively received by firms on the south coast.

Grant Woodall, director of PR agency Defero Communications, said: “The Budget looks like it will be good news for small businesses, which we hope will translate into new business opportunities as organisations look to shake off the spectre of austerity.”

And Mick Balch, managing director for Southampton and Fareham-based L&S Waste Management, said: “The Budget has delivered some positives for our industry.

“The cancellation of the fuel duty increase scheduled for September is obviously a welcome benefit for anyone running a fleet of vehicles.”

The ultrafast broadband boost has also been welcomed, with Tim Walker, from Fareham-based Taylor Made Computer Solutions, saying it could have a big impact on more rural areas such as Bishop’s Waltham.

He added: “The Chancellor focused on home broadband in his announcement but his promise to cover virtually all of the UK means it will also be available to businesses.

“I’m pleased that he has recognised how crucial this is to the prosperity of these areas. This announcement will give hope to those firms which have waited the longest for decent speeds – hopefully they will not have to wait for too long to benefit.”

And Claire Anderson, from Southampton-based Moore Blatch Solicitors, welcomed the new “Help to Buy ISA”, saying: “Although we do not know yet how it will work it is encouraging that more investment is being given through the Help to Buy scheme.”