PBR(1): Pre Budget Report today (Dec 2)

Later this morning (December 2), the Chancellor, Gordon Brown, will lift the lid on his latest plans for the economy - and small businesses.

The Pre Budget Report (or Autumn Statement) is expected to include a discussion document from the Treasury relating to the taxation and remuneration of owner-managed companies.

The Pre Budget Report has been trailed as one for 'enterprise', but many commentators are expecting further hits for small businesses.

Patriotic vision

The Chancellor will begin his statement around mid-day and, as is often the case, the detail and substance is not in what he says, but what appears in the briefing papers after he sits down.

He recently gave a taste of his intentions of the Pre Budget Report. Speaking about the value of Britain at the Political Studies Association Awards Ceremony, Mr Brown said: "The theme of the Pre-Budget Report will be that the next decade can be a British decade, that Britain's success and destiny depends upon understanding and building upon our historic strengths our stability, our openness to the world, our scientific creativity, our world class universities - and then understanding and addressing our weaknesses - the need to invest long term in science, enterprise, education and in the potential of every young person and adult.

"So at the heart of the Pre-Budget Report is a patriotic vision of Britain's future as a country of ambition and aspiration - how we make Britain the best place to grow up in, the best place to study, the best place to start a business and to work - as we build a Britain that makes us even more proud to be British."

UKTECH

UKTECH will be providing news and detailed analysis of the Pre Budget Report throughout the day and as more information emerges in the next few days.