Commenting, EEF Director General, Martin Temple said:
“This budget will be remembered for what the Chancellor didn’t do rather than what he did do. Whilst it has not added significantly to the business tax burden, there was no commitment to take steps to reduce it in the future.”
But EEF welcomed measures announced ahead of the Pre-Budget to invest in the supply side of the economy, especially education.
“Government’s efforts to invest in science and transport, together with measures to encourage investment in skills and innovation and reform of the planning system are to be applauded. It is essential that the recent Reviews are not left to gather dust on the shelves; we need confirmation of how the various recommendations will be implemented” added Mr Temple.
On measures to address the environment and climate change, EEF welcomed the Chancellor’s measured approach which will reassure business, but believes he could have gone further in encouraging other sectors of the economy to play their part.
Martin Temple said:
“The Chancellor has signalled that he intends to take a measured approach to the environment. However, given the significant measures aimed at business in recent years, today represented a missed opportunity to force other sectors of the economy to pick up the baton in equal measure.”
ENDS
EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation is the representative voice of manufacturing in the UK with a federation of 11 regional Associations and ECIA, the Engineering Construction Industry Association and UK Steel. The EEF has a growing membership of almost 6,000 companies of all sizes, employing some 900,000 people from every sector of engineering, manufacturing, engineering construction and technology-based industries.