EYE-CATCHING TAX MEASURES STEAL THE BUDGET SHOW

Commenting on measures for SMEs and manufacturers announced in today’s UK Budget, David Nicklin, managing director at Birmingham based Nicklin Transit Packaging, said: "The increase in the annual investment allowance to £200,000 and the further reduction in corporation tax are the headline announcements for mid-sized manufacturers like ourselves. Both represent welcome news and should help stimulate the essential investment Midlands manufacturers need to make to remain competitive in a globalised and highly competitive economy. "While it was good to hear the Midlands referenced as the country's engine of growth, we now need to see greater steps taken towards delivering the HS2 project and more devolution for the city of Birmingham and wider Midlands region."