UK Businesses: strip out
inefficiencies in public services before targeting high
earners
Sage Omnibus of nationwide businesses
suggests Government cost cutting key to winning votes
Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, UK –
9th December, 2009: There is a much stronger
appetite for cost cutting by the Government than for raising the
taxes on high earners, according to the latest Sage Omnibus – from
the business software and services provider. As Alistair
Darling prepares to unveil his Pre Budget Report, the latest Sage
Omnibus suggests that he would do well to focus on reducing
inefficiencies within public services rather than penalising
success within British businesses.
The gauge of business opinion, which is drawn
from Sage’s 780,000-strong community of UK businesses, investigated
how businesses felt the Government should tackle the growing
deficit. According to the Sage Omnibus, an overwhelming
majority (58.5%) would prefer the Government to focus on making
public service delivery more efficient rather than targeting the
income of high earners (22.7%), reducing spending on key services
such as education or healthcare (2.9%), increasing VAT to 20%
(1.8%) or increasing corporation tax (0.5%).
“It is those businesses that have been able to
improve efficiencies that have survived and flourished through the
tough economic environment,” comments Paul Stobart, Managing
Director at Sage UK. “Rather than penalise those responsible
for business success, many would prefer to see the Government
follow their lead. It is vital that success is properly
rewarded – not only to protect the UK’s talent pool but also to
motivate and attract the entrepreneurs and business leaders of
tomorrow’s global economy.”
According to the Sage Omnibus, 57.2% of
businesses thought that a rise of VAT to 20% would have a negative
impact on their business. The response suggests that the
Government would be wise to hold off on additional VAT rises until
after the election.
The Sage Omnibus is based upon over 2,000
responses from businesses around the country. With over
780,000 UK business customers, Sage is the voice of British
business.
For additional information, please contact:
+44 (0)207 869 8316
Marlin PR for Sage
E: sage@marlinpr.com