Government finances in "very difficult position", says Brighton and Hove council deputy leader
We've been speaking to Jacob Taylor ahead of the chancellor's Spring Statement later today
The deputy leader of Brighton and Hove city council says they're in support of the government's growth plans - as the chancellor prepares to deliver her Spring Statement.
Rachel Reeves will be giving her latest economic update in parliament later today, where she's expected to make cuts to public spending.
Greatest Hits Radio spoke to Councillor Jacob Taylor, who's also the Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration, about what he'd like to see from her "mini-budget":
He said the government is in a "very difficult position":
"The budget that was in last autumn had very significant increases in public spending to try and resurrect our public services that have been so damaged over 14 years of Tory government.
"The government is very focused on growth and economic growth and we support that.
"We've just established a new business growth board in the city at the suggestion of government for their overall approach.
"And that will have small, medium and large businesses on there helping us to create the environment locally.
"It'd be great if the government continues along that agenda of supporting local growth and local businesses, alongside, of course delivering excellent public services."
It comes amid fears that April's rise in National Insurance and Business Rates will have a huge impact on the city's independent businesses.
Carrie has been running florist Florian on Western Road for 18 years - but the business has been in the city for 60.
She told us she feels she's "constantly battling" rising costs: "We're just about to all get hammered on national insurance, rage increases, and the rates have gone up.
"I do question what we get within that money that we pay out."
When asked if he'd consider supporting businesses with the rates, Taylor replied:
"Business rates are set nationally, including sort of discounts, so we have to follow the the national approach from government.
"Councils only get 50% of business rates the the other half goes to national government.
"We'd like to say well, let's have business rates much lower for everybody because that would be of great benefit to small businesses.
"We understand that on the on the other side, clearly both national government and local government have to be able to pay for their services and business rates is one part of that.
"There's a whole heap of other things that the Council helps with and does to support local businesses."