BOLTON and Bury Chamber is backing a call by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) for Chancellor Gordon Brown to do more to support small businesses in the April 17 Budget.

The BCC submission says that Gordon Brown must support small employers by 'softening the blow' of new employment rights costing British business £150m, and promote productivity by encouraging manufacturers to innovate and invest.

The BCC's 2002 Budget submission represents the views of many Bolton and Bury Chamber members who have joined their national Chamber colleagues in formulating a £815 million package of business friendly measures.

Andrew Ratcliff, Chief Executive of Bolton and Bury Chamber, said: "The Chancellor has made improving productivity one of his key missions and we hope the forthcoming Budget and Spending Review will continue to deliver towards that objective. If we are to create a high value-added economy, it is imperative that our manufacturers innovate and close the investment gap with their rivals overseas."

Among its proposals, the BCC recommends: raising the first year capital allowance limit for SMEs to 100 per cent, putting the 100 per cent capital allowance for SME spending on ICT on a permanent footing and making the costs of raising equity tax deductible. On innovation, it urges Government to write off a proportion of student loans for science students.