§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what effect the budget of 17 April will have on business in Cheltenham. [52937]
§ Alan JohnsonI am pleased to support the Budget measures announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 17 April. The Budget contained a variety of measures designed to help business become more competitive and productive. These included a freeze on road tax and fuel duty, abolition of stamp duty relief for business transactions in poor areas, an extra £30 million for small firms training needs, direct cash help to small firms filing tax returns online, a capital gains tax cut, small companies starting rate cut to zero and small companies tax cut by 1 p with immediate effect. More detail can be found on www.budget.treasury.gov.uk. Business Link Gloucestershire Ltd (tel 01452 509522) can also provide advice on the impact of the Budget on business activity.