Budget 2021: What do West Midlands businesses want from the Chancellor?

Businesses in the West Midlands are calling for clarity, targeted and continued support ahead of the Chancellor's Budget announcement today.

Rishi Sunak faces a difficult balancing act when he sets out his Budget today - dealing with the black hole in the public finances while also supporting families and businesses hit hard by coronavirus.

Many areas of the economy are looked at during the spring budget with things like corporation tax, the furlough scheme and jobs some of the hot topics in today's announcement.

But what support do businesses in the West Midlands want to see to help them ease out of lockdown restrictions following a gruelling year?

Laura Randles, owner of Studio81 Events, Worcestershire

"The Government have to start looking at an industry which is worth so much money to the UK economy. We need sector specific support for both weddings and events

"It's safe to say the events and wedding industry has been an afterthought throughout the whole pandemic.

"We've had various grants here and there but if I can't fully open until the middle of June, as a seasonal business I've only then got four months of the year to earn money so I will need targeted support from the government.

"We need continued support after restrictions ease especially with the furlough scheme. We're only working for three and a half to four months and then told we're entitled to nothing - it's incredibly worrying for all of us in the industry.

• West Midlands
• worcestershire
• black country
• birmingam
• 2021 budget