What They Said...

'After 18 months in office the verdict is in: Plan A has failed and it has failed colossally... cutting too far and too fast has backfired and every one of the Chancellor's claims of a year ago has completely unravelled'
Ed Balls, Shadow Chancellor

'This Autumn Statement works with the realities of today and provides an imaginative framework for UK businesses as it strives to secure growth and jobs. This is "Plan A Plus" in all but name'
John Cridland, Confederation of British Industry

'The biggest challenges to UK businesses remain global demand and economic uncertainty. Firms will give the Chancellor credit for pulling the levers under his control, but will remain concerned about the wider economic environment'
David Kern, British Chambers of Commerce

'Taken as a package, the announcements in the Autumn Statement address many of the concerns raised by small businesses... the key now is for the Government to be consistent, and set to the task of translating the policy intentions into tangible actions on the ground'
John Walker, Federation of Small Businesses