SUSSEX Enterprise is backing the British Chambers of Commerce's three point plan for next week's Budget.

Arnold Clenshaw, director of membership and economic development, said: "We are looking for Gordon Brown to deliver on three fronts of critical importance to Sussex Businesses; the management of the economy; driving productivity; and reducing the burden of bureaucracy on our companies.

"In the current climate we need a broadly neutral budget that gives the Bank of England the chance to continue to cut interest rates during 1999.

"However, we also need positive measures to encourage improved productivity amongst our companies."

He said these could include having employer funded training schemes zero-rated for VAT; tax concessions to promote the use of profit related pay; and measures to make raising finance easier for smaller businesses.

"Above all, we would like to see the Government reversing recent trends and helping companies to spend less time completing forms and collecting taxes for the state and Europe, and more being able to concentrate on the customer.

"The Chancellor must help reduce these burdens if he wants to increase the survival rate of our smallest companies, encourage them to grow and become more productive."

Sussex Enterprise is teaming up with accountants KPMG to offer local companies a free briefing on the implications of the Budget on their business. Delegates as the Budget Breakfast on March 11 will hear an expert analysis of the key aspects of the Chancellor's proposals, from capital gains tax to company cars.

To book a place, contact Sussex Enterprise on 01444 259252.

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