A Kent perspective on the Budget
Tim Aker argues Westminster’s muddled Budget leaves entrepreneurs exposed, but a local-first procurement drive could offer Kent a practical route to stronger growth.
As an observer and commentator on politics and economics, the past three months of budget speculation have been painful to watch. Not a day went by when there wasn’t a briefing on what ‘might’ or ‘could’ be in the budget. Seemingly the government was tempted to raise every possible tax. VAT thresholds for business were to be lowered to a painfully low threshold of £30,000. Income tax was supposed to be up by 2p. It was a ridiculous example of lowering expectations – which the government met last month.
The Budget was the government’s lack of imagination and narrative all rolled into one. No big vision. No inspiration. Nothing in it for earners, investors or entrepreneurs. Remember them? They’re the ones who keep the wheels of the economy turning.
Ah yes, the productive sector of the economy. It faced another rinse. Those who take all the risk, with no holiday pay, no sick pay, no job security, they faced yet another hammering by this government.
