Lancashire's reaction to the 2015 Budget

Chancellor George Osborne once more placed heavy focus on the 'Northern Powerhouse' as a crucial part of his recovery plans for Britain, with big news including a new Enterprise Zone for Blackpool.

Here, we gather the opinions of the red rose county's businesses and decision-makers. Click here to read the newest opinions.

“Owner managers have long called for an end to the seemingly endless amount of form-filling and compliance with onerous red tape that typically comes with running your own business. Indeed, our own recent survey of the UK’s small and medium-sized businesses indicates that almost half of all business owners spend at least one day a week on basic administrative tasks. Anything which reduces this perceived ‘dead time’, allowing entrepreneurs to focus on the running and growing of their business will ultimately help drive economic growth, spur job creation and increase the competitiveness of the UK. So we want to see HMRC deliver on Mr Osborne’s ambitions for them.

"Take up of AIA is on the up, with businesses only just realising the lucrative benefits of the scheme and we hope that the next Autumn Statement, whichever party may be successful, delivers another raft of business-boosting measures.”

Jane Parry, lead tax partner at PM+M: "The North West is - of course - a manufacturing hub so more R&D tax credits for both SMEs and large companies would have been a boost. It was a shame but hopefully new initiatives will be announced in the Autumn Statement.

"It was also positive to learn that an enterprise zone will be set up at Blackpool Airport. The scheme is projected to create 3,000 jobs and bring new a new lease of life to the area. This is the kind of focus and investment that will help drive the North West region ahead and bring long-term and sustained prosperity."

Colin Tice, tax partner at Cassons:“We don’t see this as an end to the tax return but it is a smarter way of getting there. January might not be as stressful for taxpayers, smaller businesses and their accountants if the annual tax return is abolished.

“The brighter fiscal picture has allowed the chancellor to recalibrate his deficit reduction plans. In the next parliament this fiscal breathing space should be used to achieve intelligent reductions in public spending, together with much-needed infrastructure and innovation. With business investment a crucial driver of growth, the chancellor has signalled his intention to continue the Annual Investment Allowance. We want it to be made permanent in the Autumn Statement at £250,000 - this will fire the UK's economic kiln by spurring smaller firms to invest in plant and machinery.

“Boosting the UK’s export performance is a national priority and the Chancellor is right to keep the pressure on by providing additional resources to support exporters in overseas markets. This is another step in a longer journey to meet the government’s £1trillion export ambitions and help cement a more balanced economic recovery.

Malcolm Ireland, head of Leisure & Licensing at Napthens:“We have already seen two years of successive cuts to beer duty help improve confidence and spur investment in the licensed trade. The British Beer & Pub Association is predicting that a third year of cuts will help create almost 4,000 jobs for the sector, and I welcome this news.

"The move to scrap the Annual Tax Return will be welcomed and is an example of how cutting red tape can be painless, beneficial and improve business efficiency. Scrapping Class 2 National Insurance Contributions for the self-employed is hugely welcome, and the reduction in corporation tax will encourage business growth and expansion.

"The good news is that only 4% of pensioners would be potentially affected by this reduction, the chancellor is working on the basis of most pensioners (and voters!) being unaffected. A defence against the opposition argument that the Tories favour the wealthy and a saving on tax relief payments to boot!

"The FTSE 100 index was in buoyant mood and surged on the news that ‘Britain walking tall again’ is good news for the economy and the taxpayers of the UK according to George Osborne. The big question is how long will this last and what further changes can be expected post the general election?"

Tony Medcalf, tax partner at Moore and Smalley:“The hospitality industry and the farming industry were two winners in the budget. Tax on beer has been cut by a further 1p along with cuts to duty on cider, wine and spirits. This is the third year running beer duty has been lowered which will benefit the hospitality and leisure sector. Farmers will be allowed to average incomes for tax purposes over five years potentially reducing the tax paid.

“Petrol duty has been frozen and September’s planned increase in fuel duty has been scrapped. This is good news for commuters and businesses with heavy fuel use, such as hauliers and transport companies.”

David Grant, Moorehouse's Brewery:"The chancellor’s penny of the price of a pint of beer means he has listened further to the industry bodies and recognised the beer and pub industry contribution to employment and the economy. But I am disappointed that George Osborne has not made any moves to level the playing field for independent brewers and raised the threshold for the relief.

"[The decision to cancel the rise on fuel duty scheduled for September] will be especially helpful to small companies like Moorhouse’s – helping to contain our costs as we grow our business."

Noam Handler, tax partner at EY in the North West:“The chancellor has offered a fundamental review of business rates in time for Budget 2016 and the revaluation in 2017. On one side this offers the opportunity for this iniquitous tax to be reviewed, but on the other side the chancellor has constrained the scope of the review by requiring that it remains revenue neutral at a time when other countries are reassessing where the tax burden arises.