Budget 2026: Shropshire business leaders speak ahead of Chancellor's speech

All eyes will descend on Westminster as John Healey stands up in the House of Commons to deliver his Autumn Budget. It comes as both he and Prime Minister enter just the fourth month spent in their current roles.

The Chancellor is grappling with a host of issues right now including domestic and commercial energy bills, the knock-on effects of the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine and the cost-of-living crisis for UK families.

Business and education leaders in Shropshire have been outlining their wishes ahead of Mr Healey's speech on Wednesday.

Telford firm Turas Accountants is calling for a ‘Budget for small businesses' when the Chancellor stands up at the dispatch box

Owner Helen Columb has urged Mr Healey to reverse the trend of recent budgets and deliver meaningful support for owners of small businesses.

"There are something like 5.6 million businesses in this country employing between one and 50 people and all too often they have been forgotten about by the Government," she said.

"In the last two years, policy changes have made it more expensive to hire people and stripped away many of the tax advantages that recognised the risks and responsibilities of being a business owner.

"I know these changes have left many questioning whether running a company is still worth it. Owners are delaying hiring decisions or avoiding recruitment altogether because the cost of taking someone on has risen so sharply.

"We need a Budget that recognises the reality for small business owners. One that reduces the cost of employing staff, restores fair tax treatment for directors and gives local firms the confidence to grow.

"If the Government is serious about boosting productivity and supporting communities, this is where it must start."

The founder of an education provider has welcomed Chancellor John Healey's pledge that his first Budget will be aimed at "bloody-minded entrepreneurs".

Manny Athwal, from Bridgnorth, is chief executive of School of Coding & AI which he founded in his home ten years ago and which partners with UK universities.

He said: "The reports coming out of No.11 are promising but backing entrepreneurs means more than cutting red tape.

"It means creating the conditions for businesses to invest, innovate and grow in the UK, rather than feeling they have to look elsewhere to fulfil their ambitions.

"As a founder, I know that building a business takes persistence, confidence and ambition but these things alone aren't enough. Businesses need a stable economic environment, a tax system that encourages investment and a government that recognises the cost pressures they face.

"The Budget is an opportunity to address one of the biggest challenges facing British businesses - the shortage of digital and AI skills. We cannot expect companies to become more productive, competitive and innovative if the workforce doesn't have the skills to make the most of these technologies.

"Supporting entrepreneurs must go hand in hand with investing in the skills that will drive the next generation of British businesses."

The head of an independent Shropshire school said he hoped the Budget would look at measures to invest in youth employment at the same time as supporting employers.

Steve Green, who runs Wrekin College in Wellington, said educators were well aware of how concerned young people were about their future career prospects amid developments in AI and the economic challenges facing employers.

He said: "Good schools are working hard to create a positive and proactive environment when it comes to preparing our young people for life outside the classroom. I would like to see wider, dedicated measures to offer youngsters more pathways and opportunities into their chosen career.

"That may mean strategies and funding to encourage more employers to give young people those chances they need to prove themselves and gain experience in their early careers.

"We have all seen the concerns around graduate recruitment and training opportunities so we know we need to equip young people to face those challenges.

"The Government could also be doing more to help reward their hard work and back employers willing to invest in them as they finish their education and step into the world of full-time employment."

A solicitor from Shrewsbury law firm Aaron & Partners is warning against adding further uncertainty to businesses and families.

Helen Watson, senior partner and head of employment, said employers were already dealing with a growing mix of higher costs and new obligations and warned that smaller firms in particular could become more cautious about recruiting or expanding.

"Taken individually, many of the recent employment reforms are both reasonable and manageable," she said.

"However, the real danger emerging at the moment is the cumulative impact of everything landing on employers at once.

"Combine tougher obligations around workplace harassment with the reduction in the qualifying period for unfair dismissal, then add another expected rise in the National Living Wage, and the overall cost and complexity of employing people begins to look less attractive.

"The decision announced last week to delay the new fire-and-rehire rules until March was sensible. I would urge the Chancellor to resist adding any further costs for employers in this Budget and give businesses some breathing room to absorb the changes already coming."