GIVING his third budget speech, Chancellor George Osborne said it was one that “supports working families” and “backs business”.

He repeatedly used the phrase “Britain will earn its way in the world” and said the Government was “on the side of aspiration”.

Businesses around Dorset and the New Forest have given their verdict.

Alice Welham, who started running V Nails and Beauty in Poole earlier this year, said: “I didn’t get my loan in my name, it’s in my mum’s, I couldn’t get it, so the loans will help.

“A cut in fuel duty would have helped me, I now cycle to work.

“I’ve been self-employed for 12 years and the amount of money I have to pay for an accountant is pretty high, to have a bit more help or to have more time with a tax return would help.

“It would have been good if they could give a year or two years for small businesses not to pay tax, or waive VAT. Small businesses need a bit of leeway with credit too.”

David Bowen, MD of Ringwood-based Easy Logistics, said he would have liked to have seen a fuel duty cut as high fuel prices damaged the whole economy.

He added: “They should also be looking at penalising the banks for withholding cash from small businesses.”

Lee Johnson, from Poole-based Smiley Booth, which provides photo booths to a host of events, welcomed the idea of loans for young people starting businesses.

He said: “I’ve spent a couple of hours today talking to people that want to take a Smiley Booth franchise – they’re going to need funding.

“Access to funding can be nigh-on impossible because they’ve no track record.”

However, Lee said a cut in fuel duty would have helped immensely.

Derek Heritage, of Bournemouth-based United Taxis, said: “I welcome the simplification of tax returns and the reduction in Corporation Tax.

“But the most alarming thing is the fuel price, not just for firms like us but all companies – it affects everything we touch.”

Mark Aitchison, Group Finance Director of Colten Care, which has 11 care homes in Dorset, said he particularly welcomed the Chancellor’s decision to cut corporation tax to 22 per cent by 2014 and also raise the personal income tax to £9,205 from April 2013.

“Anything that reduces the tax burden to companies is helpful as it will help fund reinvestment at a time of limited bank liquidity. The increase in the income tax personal allowance will, I am sure, be well received by our 1,500 employees,” he added.

Trelawney Dampney, MD of Eco Sustainable Solutions, an organics recycling firm based at Parley, said: “We’ve got to adopt a more entrepreneurial approach as it will be the ‘get up and go’ spirit which will drive growth in this country. The cut in corporation tax will allow us to invest more in our business and is very welcome.”

Justin King, chartered financial planner at Christchurch-based MFP Wealth Management, said: “Business will be happy with the reduction in corporation tax.

“Employees and business owners with children will welcome the child benefit threshold increase.

“Any 50 per cent tax payers should consider pension contributions before the end of the tax year, as there is 50 per cent relief now.”