Highlands small business react to budget
Reaction to Wednesday’s budget (July 8) was swift from the Highlands & Islands branch of the Federation of Small Businesses.
Amanda Frazer, chair of the Region, said: “Today’s dramatic budget radically changes the environment in which many small Highlands & Islands businesses will operate in over the next five years and many of our members will be seeking answers as to what it all means for them.”
On the living wage she commented: “The Government’s drive to boost wages by increasing the Living Wage must be accompanied by extra help to make the numbers work in the sectors where we know pay and margins are a problem, and particularly in remote, seasonal regions like ours, where tourism, retail and care are so important. Governments in Edinburgh and London must support firms making the transition to the new wage and ensure that rogue operators don’t get the better of them.
“On roads, we all know that many Highland & Islands roads are in need of upgrading or repair and the moves to link vehicle excise duty with spending on roads seems like a sensible shift in gear. We hope that decision-makers in Scotland will consider this link and allocate resources appropriately.”
As for the annual investment allowance, the local FSB spokeswoman said: “Increasing the annual investment allowance is a welcome change that should encourage more firms to plough additional money into their operations and premises.
“As for fuel duty, small firms, especially those in rural areas like ours, are disproportionately hit by the cost of fuels and the continuing freeze on fuel duty will be welcomed by small firms still struggling with the cost of fuel at the pump.”
