Broad welcome as bosses seek a focus on enterprise
THE co- founder of craft gin maker Silent Pool Distillers said his sales have been hit by the hospitality lockdown.
Without furlough Ian McCulloch said he would have had to shed staff and he welcomed the spending plans. He said: “Sunak needs to concentrate on getting the private sector and enterprise moving, and cutting down government waste.”
Mr McCulloch was relieved that the Chancellor did not raise taxes yesterday, as this risks stalling the economy. “Pandemic costs should be parcelled up like a war debt and repaid over the next 50 years, particularly with interest rates so low.” James
Constantinou of Prestige Pawnbrokers says the pandemic hit high street sales as stores closed but boosted online by more than 200 per cent.
Government support kept his business going, with seven out of 10 staff on furlough.
But he said “many businesses I know will fold overnight once it comes to an end, driving up unemployment”. Mr Constantinou expects massive growth as people look to borrow money against their assets.“I hope to bring back the rest of my employees from furlough and go from strength to strength.”
Steve Rushton, boss of delivery firm Crown Couriers, welcomed Rishi Sunak’s pledge to boost road investment.
His firm has been busy under lockdown and he expects home deliveries to increase exponentially.
He said: “Improved road networks will keep Britain moving.”