Shropshire business leaders welcomed the lack of drama, shock and surprise in today's Spring Statement - which avoided the damaging speculation that surrounded the November Budget.
Ruth Ross, chief executive of Shropshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “After months of instability and uncertainty, businesses across Shropshire will be relieved that today’s Spring Statement was shock-free.
"In this volatile world, companies have been clear that what they value most is a predictable policy environment in which they can plan, invest, and grow.
"The Chancellor’s decision to avoid sudden changes or unexpected interventions will be welcomed on shop floors, factory floors, and in boardrooms alike.
"What we heard today gives businesses the space to focus on productivity, skills, and innovation rather than firefighting yet another round of policy upheaval. While there is still a pressing need for long‑term clarity on issues such as business rates, energy costs, and the future of the labour market, the absence of unwelcome surprises is itself a positive signal.
"Shropshire Chamber members consistently tell us that confidence is built on steadiness, and we now look forward to working with government to turn stability into momentum - supporting firms to invest, export, and create the high‑quality jobs our communities depend on."
Helen Columb, owner of Telford-based Turas Accountants, said businesses would breathe a collective sigh of relief at the absence of political “psychodrama” around the statement after months of uncertainty in the second half of 2025.
“After the turbulence of the last two Budgets, most business owners weren’t looking for fireworks but for stability,” she said.
“In that sense, today’s statement delivered. There were no major shocks and no sudden changes of direction. That alone will come as a relief.”
Helen said the biggest win for employers was the fact that they can now plan the remainder of 2026 with a clearer view of the economic landscape.
“Last year, many of our clients were forced into a holding pattern,” she said. “The speculation around the November Budget created real anxiety for months in advance. Businesses delayed investment decisions, recruitment plans and long‑term commitments because they simply didn’t know what was coming.
“Today’s statement may not have been exciting, but it was predictable – and predictability is exactly what the business community has been crying out for.”
Helen urged Shropshire businesses to use this period of relative stability to revisit their plans.
“This is a good moment to take stock,” she said. “Certainty may be in short supply these days, but today’s statement gives us a window of calm – and businesses should use it.”
Turas, which is based in Hall Court in Telford Town Centre, started trading in 2013 as Columb & Gosling Accountants. It changed its name to Turas Accountants six years ago under Helen’s leadership.
It now works with clients across the country covering VAT, company accounts, bookkeeping and payroll. It specialises in e-commerce, helping clients who have online businesses using marketplaces such as Amazon, eBay and Etsy.
The Chancellor's speech came at a time of huge volatility in the global economy.
Susannah Streeter, chief investment strategist at Wealth Club, said: "The Chancellor was trying to project a 'keep calm and carry on' message, but market turmoil continued during her speech, with UK borrowing costs having shot up and London’s FTSE 100 deep in the red, staying around 2.6% lower.
"Although there was a nod to the current turbulence, the forecasts don’t take into account the rapidly developing situation in the Middle East. So even though Rachel Reeves championed forecasts of a further fall in inflation, there’s a clear and present danger of the price spiral taking off again due to escalating conflict with Iran.
"The Office for Budget Responsibility downgraded growth for this year to 1.1% but upgraded it slightly for the following years. This appeared to help sterling recover slightly against the dollar, but the moves were limited given that big risks have crept back into the outlook."
Paul Inions, managing director of Shropshire’s award-winning construction and civil engineering company McPhillips, called on the Government to back the sector with action and not just words.
Responding to Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Spring Statement, he said: "The reaffirmed commitments we heard today on affordable housing, defence spending and infrastructure investment are, on the face of it, encouraging.
"The Chancellor talked about backing the builders and not the blockers – well, we are ready to build. We have more than 220 directly employed, skilled people based here in Telford, an award-winning apprenticeship programme and a track record of delivering complex projects on time and on budget. The skills, the workforce and the ambition are here. What we need now is for Government to match that readiness with action.
"But, and this is a significant but, we have heard these kinds of promises before. The construction sector has been promised action on housing, on infrastructure, on skills time and again. What we need now is not more warm words but real momentum. Projects need to move. Decisions need to be made. Procurement needs to speed up.”
Paul, chairman of Shropshire Constructing Excellence, part of the Constructing Excellence Midlands network, added: "Every delay costs money, costs jobs and costs communities. The businesses in our supply chain need certainty. The families waiting for affordable homes need certainty. If the Government is serious about backing the builders, then it needs to remove the planning delays and slow procurement.
"So yes, we welcome the direction of travel. But the industry is tired of waiting for the journey to begin. Turn these commitments into contracts, spades in the ground and real investment that reaches the people and places that need it most.”
