The UK economy flatlined in July, failing to add any growth to the meagre figure of 0.2 per cent for the three months from May. A Treasury spokesperson admitted the economy “does feel stuck”, while shadow chancellor Mel Stride called the government “distracted from the problems the country is facing.”
A statement from the British Chambers of Commerce said the government should look elsewhere in the Budget rather than expecting firms to continue to both foot the bill and also turn around the economy: “The Government has acknowledged it has asked a lot of business in the past year. Our message is now clear - there must be no more taxes on business in the Autumn Budget. The Chancellor must focus on unlocking growth and productivity through business.”
