Today's Budget recognises the help needed by your local area such as retail and hospitality, with alcohol duty reduction and reform, 50% rates reduction for 1 year, property improvements not affecting your rates for 1 year, plus money directed to areas such regional theatres, community football pitches, cycling infrastructure, local minor roads and to local councils.

Keeping it local tends to favour small businesses who can now try to build on the support and appreciation received during lockdowns. Remember to increase your prices so your business keeps pace with inflation and remains viable. So, what else should you and your business know from today?

Today we've had a whistle-stop tour of initiatives which the government hopes will encourage growth. From saving existing skills with furlough and SEISS scheme extensions, a new super tax deduction on equipment, through to funding high quality training schemes (if you have at least 5 employees). 

Here are the main headlines of interest to small and growing businesses...

There is much to be happy about in today's Budget, where the magic money trees are well and truly thriving!

Businesses will benefit from many announcements, particularly those who trade from a property, have one or two employees, and need a new car!

Business rates are abolished for a year for rateable values of less than £51k and these same businesses will receive a £3k grant, as a response to the Coronavirus but it's also part of the overall picture of dealing with competition from Amazon and other online retailers.

It was going to be Boris' first Budget today with, we hoped, a few sweeteners or at least the promise of a few. As we'll only know on Friday 13th December what party or coalition will deliver the next Budget, what can you still rely on when trying to be tax efficient? As I see it, these are the enduring themes:

• Innovation is a good thing  
• Green incentives will continue
• Pension saving will still be encouraged (until your pension is 'big').
• Timing is (nearly) everything

How do these themes translate into the tax system for you?