The CBI says today's Budget falls short of what businesses needed. Rain Newton-Smith, the CBI's chief executive, says it does not match the scale of the government's own ambitions.
"Our economy faces big global challenges, and the government has set out big ambitions to boost prosperity." ... "today's Budget does not meet the scale of that ambition. On the face of it, this Budget lacks the bold moves that would have made it easier for firms to invest, hire and grow."
Robert Kilgour, founder of Scottish Business UK, called the Budget "timid and feeble", according to Daily Business. He added: "If this Budget was supposed to be a major step in the right direction for British business, someone hand Healey a compass."
In his statement the Chancellor, John Healey, cited the IMF in support of his plans. "They project our UK deficit will be the lowest in the G7 by 2029," he said. That claim has not yet been independently checked against the IMF's published projections.