Dorset Chamber chief executive Ian Girling said: “There’s much to welcome in this bounceback Budget and it shows that the Chancellor has listened to business.
“Its business-friendly measures will stoke confidence, create greater clarity about the way forward and give hope for economic recovery as lockdown eases.
“The extension of the furlough scheme and support for the self-employed, apprenticeship incentives and restart grants will be welcomed by many business in Dorset.
“Measures to support retail, leisure, hospitality and tourism – including business rates and VAT breaks – will give firms in the county a fighting chance to restart and rebuild.
“Some tax rises were inevitable yet the increase in Corporation Tax has been tempered by lower rates for the smallest firms and a new ‘super deduction’ investment allowance.
“It was incredibly disappointing to see Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch miss out on a freeport but we stand ready to seize any similar opportunities in future.
“I hope the fiscal firepower deployed by the Chancellor will now give businesses in Dorset the confidence to plan ahead with greater certainty as they begin to rebuild over the coming months.
