Details on today's (March 11) budget have been welcomed by the body which represents small businesses - and may prove a valuable boost to towns like Midsomer with a struggling high street.

In a statement the Federation of Small Businesses said. " High streets are at the heart of our communities. Small businesses need urgent direct support to enable them to be at the vanguard of the transformation of the high street. The business rate relief announced today will help high streets like Midsomer Norton, as will the investment in bringing gigabit speed broadband to more rural areas. Small businesses are at the very heart of our communities and are the future of our high streets, which is why with the right support they'll continue to be so for generations to come and this budget is a good start. "

Responding to today's Budget statement, the National Chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), Mike Cherry, said: "This is a pro-small business budget, which has delivered a high streets bonus, a series of Conservative manifesto promises to small businesses, and emergency steps to support small firms through the coronavirus outbreak.

"Covering the cost of Statutory Sick Pay and emergency measures for the self-employed are particularly welcome. Removing the minimum income floor for those on Universal Credit will bring help to those working hard to keep their businesses going. These are vital contingencies for the UK's 5.8 million-strong small business and self-employed community. There may need to be further steps in the weeks and months ahead. The Bank of England funding package means that there are no excuses for banks not to help, when a small business customer is in distress.

"Suspending business rates for small high street firms is a huge bonus for our town centres and high streets. Together with extra cash for those that already qualify for small business relief, this shows a real commitment to supporting small businesses at the heart of communities. The case for fundamental reform to bring down the burden of such a regressive tax on bricks-and-mortar businesses is now stronger than it has ever been, and FSB is ready to help the Government deliver this.

"One of FSB's main asks at this Budget was a cut to the Jobs Tax, an easing of the cost of employer National Insurance, and we are very pleased to see such a pro-growth, pro-employment measure delivered for all small employers. A National Insurance holiday for small firms employing military service leavers will incentivise tapping the skills and potential of those joining the workforce after a career in the armed forces.

"This has been a deliberately pro small business first budget for the Chancellor. We hope it is the start of things to come."