THE impact of Chancellor George Osborne’s budget next month is to be discussed at a free breakfast briefing being hosted by The Herald and Sunday Herald.
The annual event, at 200 St Vincent Street in Glasgow on Thursday 17 March, is chaired by political commentator Iain Macwhirter and features a line-up of expert panellists.
“George Osborne’s track record suggests that he’ll use this budget to try to tee up at least one or two traps for the Scottish Government and Labour alike,” said Jacqui Low, executive chairman of communications consultancy Indigo and one of the breakfast’s seven panellists. “It will be fascinating to see how the parties in Scotland respond as the Holyrood general election campaign kicks off in earnest in the weeks after.”
Derek Hanlan, director of taxation at management consultancy Craig Corporate said: “The economic backdrop for the Chancellor is fascinating,” adding that this included the European Referendum as well as Scottish elections; the implementation of the Scotland Bill; turmoil in the oil and gas sector and potential tax reforms. “It will be interesting to discover what tax changes the Chancellor proposes,” Mr Hanlan added.
Ken Welsh, managing director of wealth management consultancy VWM Wealth, said: “The shadow of the 2008 world financial collapse still hangs over the UK and the forthcoming budget will reflect this. This budget is likely to build on the autumn statement with the consequence being further tax take from anyone who has money in the UK”.
Liam Entwistle, chief executive of law firm Wright Johnston Mackenzie, said: “As an independent Scottish firm we completely understand why those involved in private enterprise need to get a firm grip –quickly – on whatever comes out of the red box on budget day. This briefing is the perfect way to get that done.”
Professor Ronald MacDonald from the Adam Smith Chair of Political Economy at the University of Glasgow’s Adam Smith Business School, said: “It is important to facilitate this type of debate, so we can unpick political promises and develop a real understanding of how the new budget will impact policy, people and businesses.”
Fraser Campbell, partner at Campbell Dallas, Scotland’s Accountancy Firm of the Year, said; “We are delighted once again to support The Herald’s Budget Briefing event and look forward to discussing and debating with a local business audience the key highlights from the Chancellor’s forthcoming budget with a view to providing the best and most relevant advice to all our clients.”
Kim Wilson, managing director of the 200 SVS venue, said she was looking forward to welcoming everyone to what was set to be a fantastic debate.
This free event will begin at 8am. To reserve your place, contact Lynsay Wong on 0141 302 6082 or Lynsay.wong@heraldandtimes.co.uk.
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