"The Government can't even manage to announce its own Budget without it being leaked first - and they wonder why business confidence is shot to pieces.

"This Budget shows the Chancellor still thinks you can tax your way to growth. 

“Yes, business rates relief is welcome but it's overshadowed by yet another hammer blow to the cost of running a business, with inflation-busting wage cost increases. And in a couple of years they’re coming for our pension schemes too. You couldn’t make it up. 

"Rachel Reeves spoke today about supporting working people but she’s making it systematically harder for the people who actually employ them. 

“She’s also opened up a huge postcode lottery for businesses which want to drive growth. It was good to see a commitment to a number of ‘growth funds’ for mayoral areas such as the West Midlands, that’s great for businesses based there. But if you’re a business operating in Shropshire or Telford & Wrekin, where’s the investment for them?  

"We needed clarity and support. Instead we got a Budget leaked an hour early that shows this Government still doesn't have a clue how to work with business rather than against it."