Banks, the Swindon-based chartered accountants, is urging Chancellor George Osborne to leave businesses alone in his forthcoming Autumn Statement.
Director Richard Mathews said he fears Mr Osborne, pictured, may take the opportunity to slip through some unpopular measures in the statement on December 5 before the Government starts to gear itself up for the next election in 2015.
He said: “We’d really like to see the Chancellor leave businesses alone and let them get on with furthering the economic recovery which is clearly underway. 
“But the Autumn Statement next year and 2015 Budget will be the last before an election, so they’re unlikely to contain anything too controversial or unpopular.
“It leads us to believe that, far from leaving businesses alone, next month’s Autumn Statement could bring bad news.”
Richard predicted rules governing the use of incorporated partners in limited liability partnerships could come under scrutiny; VAT on goods purchased online might also be changed, as the Government tries to get more taxation from the likes of Amazon.
Banks will be running a free, post-Autumn Statement event on December 5 from 5.45pm-7pm at its Stratton offices. Experts will give their overview on how the Autumn Statement will impact on businesses, banking, taxation, personal finance, and employment issues.
Places are limited, so pre-booking is essential via www.banksca.co.uk or by emailing claire.hunt@banksca.co.uk
Richard will also give a presentation on the Autumn Statement and what it means to Swindon businesses at a Swindon Business Village networking group breakfast meeting on December 12. For more details and to book, visit www.businessvillage.org
