A BRADFORD business leader has criticised the Budget announcement on business rates, claiming an opportunity has been missed.

The Chancellor, Philip Hammond, announced a total of £435 million to help firms affected by increases in business rates, including a £300m hardship fund for the worst hit.

Other budget announcements included almost 2.5 million self-employed people will be hit by an average £240 a year with a hike in National Insurance contributions.

Andy Caton, Bradford Chamber of Commerce president, said: “This opportunity to fix the broken business rates system has been missed.

“Even with the measures announced today, improvement could still be a year away for some. That said, support for those hit hardest by business rate rises is welcomed.

“We hope that the new discretionary fund for Councils to offer relief is rolled out quickly and effectively, but there is still a need for major reform of a broken system here.

“Tie-ing in business rates to property values is an out-of-date way to fund local services and needs a big overhaul.”

Mr Caton added: “The measures to support technical and vocational education are also welcomed, as the change to move to parity with academic qualifications is too slow. We fail to see how hiking the self-employed national insurance level and reducing their dividend allowances supports entrepreneurship, so that’s disappointing.

“We understand why there is a reticence to do more at this time, with Brexit negotiations about to be triggered and the shift to an annual autumn budget; but the Government needs to remember that business investment could be key to the success of economic stability in the months and years to come.”

Meanwhile, Richard Greenwood, who operates three franchises throughout West Yorkshire for over cleaning specialist Ovenu, including in Bradford, said the budget did not help the self-employed. He said: “The Budget was very disappointing for the self-employed. Changes had been mooted prior to the announcement, but the realisation is now sinking in and it will be a big expenditure for business owners like me. I already spend a lot on supplies and operating several vans and this is another unwanted cost.”