An organisation representing interim management and the freelance sector has accused Alistair Darling of delivering a political speech rather than a serious announcement about how to tackle the problems of the economy.
In response to the Chancellor's budget, John Brazier, Managing Director of PCG, said it was much ado about nothing.
In reality it was the 'pre-Budget' Budget and, like the rest of the country he would be waiting for the real thing, which will happen after the General Election.
The PCG went on to say that no real, new changes have emerged. Key changes affecting interims and freelancers having already been announced previously- such as the increases in national insurance for employers and employees.
Anne Redston, Visiting Professor of Taxation at King's College London, who is analysing the budget for PCG, said that in terms of the big picture, there are many promises - such as the £20 billion efficiency savings - but no real detail.
In the context of PCG members, the holding of Capital Gains Tax to 18% is good news and increasing the number of public contracts awarded to small and medium-sized business to 15% of all contracts is probably helpful.
John Brazier added the Government has seemingly done nothing to harm interims and freelancers. However it is in the 'real' Budget after the General Election where PCG will be expecting genuine progress for professional contractors and micro-businesses.
A full analysis of the Budget on the REC's website at www.pcg.org.uk.