'We need help for small businesses, not punishment'
Summary
Small business owners in Bilston and Wolverhampton said rising energy, fuel, wage and material costs are squeezing their businesses, and they criticized the Budget for offering too little help. The Budget includes a 3.9% rise in the legal minimum wage, a one-off £100 payment for eligible households in England, and changes to energy bills and import taxes.Key Facts
- Butcher Kevin Evans said electricity costs and higher prices for goods are putting pressure on his business.
- Evans said he cannot afford to hire another worker as National Insurance and minimum wage costs rise.
- Plasterer Glen Gandy said he spends about £350 a week on fuel and cannot afford to expand his workforce.
- Chip shop owner Lutfu Efe said his electricity bill is nearly £800 a month and his gas bill is £600 a month.
- The legal minimum wage is set to rise by 3.9% from April.
- The Budget provides a one-off £100 payment for up to 20 million households in council tax bands A to D in England.
- Standing charges are to be removed from gas bills in England, Scotland and Wales, and the electricity-bill VAT cut has been extended until July.
- Import taxes will be removed on more than 100 food products, as well as kerosene and fertilisers.
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