Small businesses in West Midlands urge chancellor to ease pressure in Budget

Small business owners in the West Midlands say rising costs are squeezing their ability to grow and hire ahead of Chancellor John Healey’s first Budget next week. Employers across sectors including manufacturing, fuel supply, removals and clothing report pressure from higher employment costs, fuel prices and trading difficulties. Several are urging tax relief, with stonemason Tom Adams of Worcester—employing 12—citing National Insurance changes that raised his bill from 13.8% to 15% and cut the threshold from £9,100 to £5,000. Others also point to tougher European trading and weaker customer confidence, with Halso UK Fuels’ Emma Osborn describing the past six months as “really challenging.”