Small business insurance customers were ignored in yesterday's Budget announcement, it has been claimed.
According to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), chancellor Alistair Darling has neglected to introduce a raft of measures to ease conditions facing the sector.
The organisation suggested that the government should have introduced more action to deal with late payments to small business insurance holders by allowing Companies House to name and shame slow payers.
In addition, the group said it was "disappointed" that automatic rate relief was not announced for small business insurance customers, pointing out that the Budget offered the government the chance to provide an immediate financial boost to firms.
John Wright, FSB national chairman, added: "We welcome moves to focus on jobs and job creation for young people, but we are very disappointed that this budget will do nothing for those firms which are doing their best to hold on to their valued employees."
He also allowed the doubling of capital allowances for some businesses, but said the 2p increase in fuel duty will hit companies in an already difficult time.
The Forum of Private Business (FPB) also claimed that the Budget failed to address the biggest concerns of small firms, saying the announcement lacks measures to boost economic activity, improve access to finance and reduce costs they face.
