Business community 'should benefit from Autumn Statement' (From Daily Echo)

Business community 'should benefit from Autumn Statement' says Hampshire Chamber of Commerce

1:49pm Wednesday 5th December 2012 in Politics By Sian Davies, Senior News Reporter

HAMPSHIRE'S business community should benefit from the measures unveiled today by the Chancellor, according to the body that speaks for them.

Maureen Frost from Hampshire's Chamber of Commerce said her initial reaction to the Autumn Statement delivered by George Osborne this afternoon was positive.

“Overall I think there were some good announcements for business today.

“Obviously we would need to look into what was said in a bit more detail but on the whole there were a number of measures that should help particularly small and medium sized enterprises.”

She drew particular attention to the announcement that there would be a one per cent cut in corporation tax and greater tax relief for businesses buying new machinery and plant work.

She added: “Although the cancellation of the three per cent fuel duty rise would be welcomed across the country, I know that will particularly help the haulage and transport firms that have been hit hard by the rises.”

She said the Chamber was also pleased to see the Government had listen to much of their lobbying and particularly that he supported calls to devolve decision making and resources to regions.

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