The South West reacts to Budget announcements
Source: BBC ·
Tourism and business leaders have been reacting to John Healey's first Budget as chancellor.
From the source
Businesses in Devon and Cornwall said there were both positives and negatives to the budget Tourism and hospitality leaders have been reacting to this week's Budget. Among the headlines in chancellor John Healey's first Budget on Wednesday were a £100 payment to help millions of households with energy bills, a VAT cut on electricity bills and a freeze on fuel duty, both extended to July. It also announced Devon would get an elected mayor in 2028 white Cornwall was included as the only area on a pathway to become a Foundation Strategic Authority. Sue Jewell, chair of South East Cornwall Tourism Association and a holiday accommodation provider, said the budget "gave with one hand and took with the other". As part of the Budget legal minimum wage is to rise by 3.9% in April Jewell said: "I think it's tricky because actually I would believe that quite a lot of people in our business anyway pay over the minimum wage just to retain staff. "However because of the cost we've cut back on…