Spring Budget 2017 comment from Gleeds Chairman, Richard Steer

A fiscally and politically conservative budget announcement.

This was a budget which included measures designed to paper over the cracks of our industry’s skills shortage, and while it is good to see this recognised as a priority issue, whether it will help with immediate shortages seems unlikely.

The changes in National Insurance and dividend allowances will not be welcomed by the plethora of self-employed tradespeople but new money announced for schools is to be welcomed. Overall, a budget shaped by Brexit worries - fiscally and politically conservative as was expected.