Two thirds of small business owners claim chancellor Alistair Darling shows no signs of being “business friendly”, a new poll has shown.
In a further blow to Mr Darling, three-quarters of small and medium sized enterprises would not entrust the chancellor with overseeing their own company finances by appointing him as their financial director.
Furthermore, not a single respondent said they believe the value of UK Plc is recognised by the government – this is despite recent concessions on measures such as capital gains tax.
Of the wider economic climate, respondents of the poll, commissioned by Clifton Asset Management, claimed the media is in danger of “talking the economy into a recession.”
A
ccording to the survey only 11% of small businesses are witnessing the symptoms of a downturn first-hand.
Despite this, the bank’s reaction to the credit crunch is creating a few problems for small businesses: 14% found that their existing facility had been reduced or that additional demands such as higher interest rates and collateral security had been imposed.
But it’s not all doom and gloom, 28% said their bank had been happy to extend their credit facility with no change in interest rates on interest charges or security arrangements.
Ellis Organ, financial director at Clifton Asset Management, said that small businesses are feeling “snubbed” by the government.
“The people who responded to our survey, and countless others like them across the country, form the backbone of our economy. Our survey highlights once again that these individuals continue to feel ignored by a government which only appears to pay attention to the concerns of big business.”
© Crimson Business Ltd.
