Today's Budget recognises the help needed by your local area such as retail and hospitality, with alcohol duty reduction and reform, 50% rates reduction for 1 year, property improvements not affecting your rates for 1 year, plus money directed to areas such regional theatres, community football pitches, cycling infrastructure, local minor roads and to local councils.

Keeping it local tends to favour small businesses who can now try to build on the support and appreciation received during lockdowns. Remember to increase your prices so your business keeps pace with inflation and remains viable. So, what else should you and your business know from today?

There is much to be happy about in today's Budget, where the magic money trees are well and truly thriving!

Businesses will benefit from many announcements, particularly those who trade from a property, have one or two employees, and need a new car!

Business rates are abolished for a year for rateable values of less than £51k and these same businesses will receive a £3k grant, as a response to the Coronavirus but it's also part of the overall picture of dealing with competition from Amazon and other online retailers.

It might feel as though large companies get all the tax reliefs, but any additional 'reliefs' mainly arise from owning a global brand. 

So what can many UK based companies do? Let's illustrate with a Case Study:

The Chancellor chose this headline, but I think Investors also get a look in.

(SMALL) MAKERS

I take this to be businesses. In fact, it's largely small to medium companies that benefit from today's announcements being the changes to AIA, SEIS and R&D.