Budget to aid small companies

Gordon Brown’s pledge to help small businesses in this week’s budget has been welcomed by the design industry.

Among the measures announced by the Chancellor on Tuesday were: lower rates of corporation tax, including a new 10p starter rate; tax credits to help companies pay for research and development as well as new equipment and technology; and the establishment of a cross-departmental agency for small businesses.

Design Council chief executive Andrew Summers welcomes the focus on small businesses: “In general this will encourage companies to invest in long-term innovation and use design to turn it into products and services they can sell,” he says.

“Design is now set to play an even greater role in the success of UK Plc,” says Chartered Society of Designers president Lin Gibbon.