SMALL businesses in East Lancashire today urged the Chancellor to give them a budget boost tomorrow (Tuesday, November 28).

As the nation waits to find out what Kenneth Clarke has hidden in the famous red case, firms called for action to help them live up to their reputation as the 'engine room' of the economy. Michael Toole, who runs a small textile manufacturing business, M & J Textiles in Accrington, wants to see more action to tackle the perennial problem of late payers.

"Getting money off people for work is always a problem. The Government's idea that you can charge late payers 10 per cent on their bills is just not workable for a small business like ours.

"We're very busy at the moment but the more work we do the more money we are owed."

And Mr Toole, who employs 15 at his Belgarth Road firm, also wants to see easier grants for small businesses.

"They definitely need to be more accessible. I just can't devote the time to wade through all the forms and I don't seem able to find out how much is available and from where." Barrie Lancaster, who owns an insurance brokers in Clitheroe, urged the Chancellor to give firms more tax advantages for investing in machinery and equipment.

"After all if we can't afford to invest in our country's manufacturing base we have no viable future.

"Newer equipment means more efficient production and makes us more competitive against foreign markets."

And Mr Lancaster feels the economy is not stable enough to give away electioneering tax cuts.

"Whilst as individuals we would welcome such a move I feel sure that in the long term we would benefit more by no such cut at the present time."

And the Federation of Small Business, which has more than 1,000 members in East Lancashire, called for the Chancellor to encourage firms to invest in new technology.

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