UK Budget 2006 - Company comment
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Richard Branson, Virgin
“I think this is a good Budget for a number of reasons. First, Gordon Brown has not raised taxes, which is psychologically very important. He has also rightly earmarked education as a major priority.”
Alan Wood, Siemens
“This is a Budget heavily focused on boosting UK education and skills which I warmly welcome. I am encouraged that the chancellor has placed so much emphasis on the importance of science, innovation and enterprise and I share his enthusiasm for a Britain that leads in scientific invention.”
Stelios Haji-Ioannou, EasyJet
“Good news that the economy is on track - inflation under control at 2 per cent, growth rate at 2.5 per cent is on target, albeit a slower rate than some of the developing economies which are growing at close to 10 per cent but off a lower base.”
James Dyson, entrepreneur and inventor
“There were some positive points, such as the emphasis on education. If they can really get more children to read physics and chemistry that has to be good. So does a golden hello for science and engineering graduates.”
Sir Martin Sorrell, WPP
“It was a political Budget, an open or mid-term Budget ahead of an election, with nothing specific for the [advertising and media] industry.”
Miles Templeman, Institute of Directors
“On the key issues of taxation and public spending this was very much a mixed Budget. The chancellor missed a golden opportunity to do something for business by cutting corporation tax to give us an advantage over our major global competitors.”
John Patterson, JCB
“The chancellor’s Budget was comprehensive, and rightly highlighted the importance of stability and low inflation, yet Britain’s manufacturers and exports will feel neglected. Their role was barely mentioned, their needs were not addressed and the immediate challenges they face from China and India not recognised. “
Keith Clarke, Atkins
“The government is looking at constraining the private finance initiative into being more of a single discipline rather than trying to package up all sorts of services which is very difficult to manage. “
Paul Lester, VT Group
“I am disappointed that the pensions problem was not addressed as it was certainly a good opportunity for the government to do so.”
Malcolm Harris, Bovis Homes
“My view is that this is quite a positive Budget for the housebuilding industry. The increase in stamp duty will incentivise us to provide more lower priced housing which will help people get on the housing ladder, like first-time buyers.”
