Lincolnshire and Newark react to the budget

Businesses across Lincolnshire and Newark have been reacting to the budget.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced an extension to the furlough scheme, frozen income tax and a 5% house deposit scheme.

There's also extension on stamp duty.

Katrina Pierce is the Development Manager for the Federation of Small Businesses in Lincolnshire she said the budget's very welcome.

"There is some really really good stuff in there.

"It's going to help many small firms with this final push through to September."

Danny Hall, who runs Beast Burger in Grimsby, is pleased with the announcements.

"The main thing that we wanted was the VAT reduction for hospitality, so we're pleased that that's going to continue."

As part of the budget, the Humber Ports bid for Freeport status has been granted and it'll cover the ports of both Immingham and Grimsby.

Dafydd Williams from Associated British Ports said it's great news for the area.

"We think at least 7,000 new jobs will be coming to the Humber and these will be skilled jobs in manufacturing."

MP for Cleethorpes Martin Vickers explained what will happen next.

"There will be a steering group set up made up of ABP and local authorities and they will be guided by Government into how they set the wheels in motion.

Domestic abuse was named as one of the "hidden tragedies" of the pandemic during Rishi Sunak's speech and an extra 19-million pounds for support programmes was pledged.

Debbie Winning is from The Blue Door.

"We have had peaks and troughs. You can see where lockdown has started and where it has reduced and there's been greater movement.

"Schools going back made a difference, because children were then out of the house so victims could pick up the phone and contact services because they were alone."

But some feel left behind by the Government.

Lincoln wedding photographer Jonathan Mank doesn't believe enough is being done for people who are self-employed.

"This virus doesn't care if you have 30 million in the bank or 30 quid in the bank. This virus doesn't discriminate, yet our Government does

"The Government asked us to help protect the NHS, we did that, now you need to help us to save our families, our homes, our mental health."

Rishi Sunak said there will be more support for the self-employed, including for those who missed out on initial government help.

• budget
• Lincolnshire