With the Chancellor preparing to lay out the Government's plans for taxation, benefits, and spending next week, The Herald and Sunday Herald are organising a free Budget Briefing for Business Leaders to help them understand the implications for business and individuals in Scotland.

The free breakfast event, supported by accountancy firm Campbell Dallas, law firm McClure Naismith LLP and Skypark will be held at Skypark in Glasgow on Thursday, March 20.

The post-Budget briefing will provide a summary of the main issues and an update on personal and corporate tax considerations, VAT, and issues on tax planning.

A panel of experts, chaired by political commentator Iain Macwhirter, will provide a summary of the main issues raised by Osborne's latest plan. The panel includes Professor David Bell of Stirling University, Fraser Campbell, partner at Campbell Dallas, and Robin Shannan, executive chairman at McClure Naismith.

Campbell said: "Tax is one of the few costs that a business has no control over. It is also a major cost once the burden of corporate tax and payroll taxes are taken fully into account. Tax is also a significant factor in business investment decisions which are critical to continue the recovery starting to take hold.

"I expect overall tinkering with the main taxes will leave us in a broadly neutral position overall."

Shannon said: "The UK economy is growing. But the recovery is not yet secure. The economy needs to be rebalanced… I will be looking at the Budget in that context to see what measures there are to increase UK manufacturing investment, encourage exports and rebalance the economy"

l The event takes place on March 20 at Skypark, Glasgow. Registration begins at 8am. Reserve your place by calling Lyndsay Wilson on 0141 302 7407 or visiting www.herald-events.com/budget