Chancellor Rachel Reeves has unveiled the details of her second Budget since taking office — but how have local business leaders responded to the announcement?
Denise Walker, Founder, Glenville Walker Solicitors
“Confidence among North West businesses is at its lowest point since the pandemic, with many of our clients telling us they’ve hit pause on investment and hiring plans. Today’s budget is the Chancellor’s opportunity to change that narrative and show she’s backing the businesses that will drive our region’s growth.
The reality is straightforward: you can’t tax your way to prosperity. What the North West needs is a budget that makes it easier to do business here – support for R&D, investment in the infrastructure our growing companies need, and no more surprise costs that force businesses to choose between expansion and survival.
Our region has always punched above its weight when the government works with us, not against us. This budget should be about partnership and momentum, giving businesses the confidence to invest, hire, and grow. That’s what will deliver the economic recovery we all need.”
“ There is much talk about protecting or preventing harm to ‘working people’ when, in fact, owner managed businesses are founded by the same ‘working people’. If you continue to put so much pressure on these owner-managed businesses, we have no chance of promoting growth, in fact we are limiting any hope of growth.”
Sean Keyes, CEO, Sutcliffe:
“I would ask how we will hit the 1.5m home targets that will ultimately improve health, education and financial inequalities in the UK? For those in the construction sector this is a major pillar of our future.”
“The Chancellor speaks of growth and stability, businesses are left wondering how we’re meant to deliver it when employment costs have just been substantially increased. The last budget saw a 1.2% rise in employer National Insurance, combined with a £4,100 drop in the threshold and a 6.7% increase in the National Living Wage, represents a significant hit to labour-intensive sectors like construction – precisely the industries expected to deliver the government’s ambitious housing and infrastructure targets.
“Make no mistake, these costs don’t simply disappear into company accounts. After 40 years in this business, I can tell you exactly what happens: firms will have to make difficult choices about recruitment, pay rises will be constrained, and some projects will need repricing. For a construction company employing hundreds of people, we’re all looking at substantial additional costs at a time when we’re being asked to scale up delivery, not scale back.
“You cannot simultaneously increase the cost of employment whilst calling for economic growth – something has to give. The infrastructure investment announced is welcome, but it needs businesses with the capacity and financial headroom to deliver it. This Budget makes that harder, not easier.”
Jessica Gallier Booth The Martin Gallier Project
“Today’s Budget arrives at a critical moment for suicide prevention. Whilst we welcome commitments to cutting NHS waiting lists, we must be clear: for people in suicidal crisis, waiting lists can be fatal.
The Martin Gallier Project exists precisely because traditional pathways alone – with waiting lists, eligibility criteria, and barriers – leave too many people without support at their most vulnerable moment.
Our independent evaluation by Liverpool John Moores University proves that the community based crisis alternatives model works: a 69.23% reduction in A&E reattendance, saving the NHS £1.2 million annually across Cheshire & Wirral alone. The Martin Gallier Project has delivered over 51,000 life-saving interventions since 2019 – with no criteria, waiting lists, or barriers to access.
Community-based, immediately accessible suicide prevention services don’t just save lives – they save the NHS money and relieve pressure on emergency departments. But organisations like ours face urgent funding crises whilst demand rises dramatically.
If a proven model saves lives, reduces NHS costs, and has been independently validated, why wouldn’t you invest in scaling it nationally? Suicide remains the leading cause of death for people under 35. Every budget that fails to prioritise evidence-based suicide prevention accepts preventable deaths.”
