A BUSINESS leader has said most businesses will “applaud” the chancellor’s spending review – but others say he did little to make life easier for small firms.

Ian Girling, chief executive of Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry said: “The Spending Review and Autumn Statement will be applauded by most businesses in Dorset.”

He welcomed the announcement of the Dorset Green Enterprise Zone.

“Plans to give councils the power to cut business rates will offer them the opportunity to help businesses in a tangible way and support the high street,” he said.

“Government investment in infrastructure, road building and roads maintenance is also to be encouraged although we will have to see how this impacts Dorset directly.

“Dorset businesses will also be encouraged by the extension of small business rate relief for another year and support for apprenticeships.

“However, we must make sure that Dorset benefits from such measures as the construction of 400,000 new affordable homes and increased investment in science and technology.”

However, Liz Tapley, who owns TaxAssist Accountants in Poole, said: "We wanted more recognition of the hard work and major contribution made by small businesses to the UK economy. You could say it's a case of no news is good news for local business owners, but I think there has been a huge opportunity missed to reward those enterprises which are the backbone of our economy.”

She added; “They are already facing huge challenges from new rules on pensions, dividends and the living wage, so will be grateful that there were no more bombshells, but there were no early Christmas presents either.”

Linda Broomfield, tax manager with Mazars in Poole, said: “How is the chancellor going to pay for the planned spending? The devil will be in the detail, especially where and how the additional £800million budget announced will be used to combat tax evasion.”

She was concerned about the impact on property investors of higher stamp duty on second homes and buy-to-lets.

“This is in addition to the reduction in tax relief on loans to purchase rental properties already announced,” she said.

“Great news though that the planned tax credit changes have been scrapped,” she added.

Molly Scott Cato, Green MEP for the South West, said, was concerns about “massive” cuts to the three departments dealing with the environment, energy and transport.

“These three departments between them have huge responsibility for protecting our environment and reducing our carbon emissions. Yet as David Cameron heads off to Paris for the COP21 climate talks their budgets are being cut to the bone,” she said.

“He should hang his head in shame as he enters the Paris negotiations. The savage cuts mean that public servants will simply be unable to enforce the laws we have to protect our environment or address climate change.”

Adrian Cormack, head of the personal injury department at Coles Miller Solicitors, welcomed £150m for a Dementia Research Institute.

He also welcomed the new two per cent precept in council tax which will allow local councils to raise £2bn for social care.

“Both measures are a good start but they are a drop in the ocean when you consider the ageing population and the big demographic challenges this country is facing in the next few decades,” he said.