Pictured: Phil Roberts of Flexible Vehicle
Contracts
A Staffordshire businessman has called on Chancellor George
Osborne to give the economy a much-needed kick-start when he
delivers his Autumn Statement today.
Phil Roberts, managing director of Barton-under-Needwood based
fleet vehicle specialists Flexible Vehicle Contracts, said urgent
action is needed to support business and create job
opportunities.
Phil, who established the business 15 years ago, said: "I think
that a reduction in the current VAT rate is overdue and could give
the economy the kick-start it so desperately needs.
"I believe the Government made the wrong choice to increase VAT
rather than National Insurance. Simply put, if I am a business
owner employing staff, that means I'm reasonably happy with the
state of my business. National Insurance is effectively a tax on me
employing staff and we need staff when we are doing well!
"So paying an extra one per cent NI is negligible and would not
have an adverse effect on my business. However, the increase in VAT
has a direct impact on individuals and on our retail business. It
increases costs and makes the products we are selling less
attractive which could result in less business, less income for
HMRC and, in the long term, may have a negative effect on staffing
levels."
Chancellor George Osborne is under pressure to help businesses
fighting the recent economic turmoil with a range of tax incentives
and support when he delivers his Autumn Statement on Tuesday,
November 29.
Since its launch in 1996, Flexible Vehicles has delivered more
than 20,000 vehicles to business and personal customers across the
UK. It has the ability to supply vehicles for periods from three
months to four years. Services include contract hire and leasing,
personal lease, vehicle finance, vehicle rental, outright purchase
and commercial vehicles. Its Flexible Fleet Management system also
allows companies to focus on their core business and not become
distracted by the everyday problems associated with operating
company vehicles and the ever-increasing grey fleet vehicles.