Telford businesswoman welcomes budget changes which will help Shropshire economy

A Telford businesswoman has welcomed the budget and said it will make a huge difference to Shropshire businesses and the economy.

Julie Owen, of Jigsaw Business Management Services in Wellington, said by far the most welcome aspect of George Osborne’s budget plans was a review of business rates, which she claimed to be long overdue.

"As is often the way with budget announcements, businesses will have to sift through the details to see more clearly how things will affect them,” she said.

"The most pleasing aspect is probably the review of business rates, which is well overdue, as business rates are a huge cost for some of my clients – but the devil will be in the detail so I hope it will be a positive move and not a killer of businesses.

"The freeze in petrol duty will certainly be welcome, and the rise in the personal tax allowance is good news for directors of businesses.

"The rise in the income tax threshold is also a positive move, and I'm pleased to see that the giant companies will no longer be able to divert profits so will have to pay tax like everyone else, which will be welcomed by small businesses."

Mr Osborne outlined the budget yesterday, but today has come under fire for failing to reveal the true depth of spending cuts.

It is the last budget to be presented by the Government before the general election in seven weeks’ time.

Jigsaw Business Management Services Ltd launched in 2007 and offers a host of complex business management services from bookkeeping to credit control services for companies across Shropshire and the West Midlands.

To find out more about Jigsaw Business Services visit the website www.jigsawbusinessservices.co.uk, call (01952) 929557 or email Julie@jigsawbusinessservices.co.uk.