Businesses are changing their recruitment strategies after Budget, poll shows

Businesses were largely spared from targeted tax hikes in the Budget but some measures set out by the Chancellor could indirectly affect firms.

Businesses are preparing to slow hiring as a result of measures in the autumn Budget, which puts Britain on course for a record tax burden, a new snap poll suggests.

Some 56% of business leaders said there were likely to be fewer hires than originally planned.

The poll of 500 business leaders was carried out by WPI Strategy and polling firm Merlin Strategy to gauge sentiment among businesses in the immediate aftermath of Wednesday’s Budget statement.

Businesses were largely spared from targeted tax hikes, unlike last year’s autumn Budget which set out an increase to the rate of employer national insurance.

However, a range of measures – includ