CHANCELLOR Gordon Brown's budget should have done more to cut "red tape", a Huddersfield-based business group said today.
The Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce's latest survey showed that regulations were hitting the profitability of 29% of local firms.
Chamber chief executive Keith Weltion welcomed tax breaks to help small firms invest in plant and machinery, but said Mr Brown had failed to consider reducing the "vast amount" of red tape.
The pre-election moves were termed "the ballot box budget" and met mixed reactions.
Supporters billed it good for familes, schools and the elderly. But critics said there was little for businesses - and no guarantee that extra cash created by civil service job cuts would boost front-line public services.
