The changes announced today in the budget may directly impact small businesses in Radstock with a tax holiday for cafes in the town and a tax break for businesses which hire staff who have served in the military.

According to the Federation of Small Businesses the announcement of £5bn of funding in gigabit-capable broadband could also be a welcome boost to areas outside of the main cities.

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. 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."