The big question...

What do you want to hear him annoucing? We've been asking local business people and organisations that very same question...

Katie Darlow, Roberts & Co Estates Agents, Newport

I would like to see the announcement of more affordable housing and help for first time buyers. Currently there are many first time buyers who are renting and therefore cannot afford to save for a deposit at the same time as they are paying rent. In addition, the affordability criteria tightened last year which meant many buyers were left unable to secure a mortgage. Also, certain lenders will only lend up to retirement age and this has a knock-on effect on affordability. I would also like to see help for those people who are in negative equity. Many bought at the peak and still cannot afford to move. Perhaps the government could introduce a loan or way that their outstanding loan could be paid back over a certain period. These home owners could then move and pay back the deficit over a certain period. In turn this would create more sales and increase activity in the property market.

Peter Heathcote, managing director, Budget Vets, Newport

I would expect the chancellor to consider areas that will increase the popularity of the party prior to the general election with groups that he feels are disengaged at present. Inheritance tax is likely to be significant along with affordable housing for first time buyers as well as schemes to allow people to get onto the property ladder. As a business owner I feel there are significant things that could be achieved allowing easier trade in Wales such as the removal of the bridge fees which prevents many skilled workers from considering available jobs in our industry.

Justin Kingdon, partner, CNC Property Management, Newport

With the best economic backdrop since the recession hit, now has to be the right time for the government to dig deep and assist those SMEs looking to set up businesses on the high street from a bricks mortar base. With business rates one of the largest expenses for SMEs, it has to be time for a proper UK wide review in order to not only help some of our brightest talents set-up and employ, but to save our struggling town centres. The current system is archaic, unfair and discourages those wanting to set up. There are already some rates breaks at the lowest end but these simply do not go far enough. With the Welsh Government already having devolved powers to control business rates, I hope that a wholescale review of the central UK system would be taken up and surpassed by us. With Friars Walk set to dominate the retail property market in Newport, we could certainly do with any help we can to tackle the growing number of vacant units on Commercial Street and surrounds. I am not holding my breath as I accept this is just not vote-winning enough ahead of a general election, and expect this to be overlooked in favour of a 1p cut in beer duty and additional pension reforms.

John Newell, director, Kingston Newell Estate Agents, Newport

This week’s budget provides George Osborne with final opportunity to convince the electorate his economic plan is working, irrespective of the long-term risks to prosperity. His stamp duty change grabbed the headlines at the Autumn Statement. I wonder if Mr Osbourne is going to make changes to allow people to hold property investments within their pension, therefore sheltering them from tax to a greater extent? The impact on the UK housing market could increase incentives to buy-to-let.

Gerald Davies, executive chairman, Kymin, Newport

Unlike all previous pre-election budgets, we know exactly there will be an election on May 7. So, some of any element of surprise will have been removed. However, we should by now have learned not to under-estimate George Osborne. He is an astute politician. No one predicted his dramatic changes to pensions in last years’ budget. He will announce a further increase in the personal allowance and allow this to affect higher rate taxpayers as well. This will be for a year’s time, by when the allowance of tax free earnings will be £11,000. There may also be some encouragement for small firms with further help for taking on apprentices. Remember there are 3,000 members of the CBI which represents large companies, but more than four million small businesses… a lot of votes there. There may also be some more help for older savers, similar to what he announced in the Autumn Statement.

Stephen Parry-Langdon, finance manager, HardingEvans Solicitors, Newport

In 2010, the outgoing Labour secretary to the Treasury, Liam Byrne, was reported to have left a note for incoming Lib Dem David Laws saying, famously, “There’s no money left”; five years on and the treasury’s coffers have a little more in them for George Osborne to play around with in the final, traditionally electioneering, budget of this parliament, but not much. If, as expected, he lifts the personal allowance – perhaps to as much as £11,000 – then there will probably be little left for any further grand gestures and Wednesday afternoon’s performance is likely to be one of ‘smoke and mirrors’.

Mary McDonagh, partner, Kilsby & Williams, Newport

Despite what many say, tax practitioners secretly relish the challenge of poring over the many tomes of complex tax legislation to identify those anomalies that we can use for the benefit of our clients. However, looking at the bigger picture, we all realise that for the average taxpayer and business, the UK tax rules are vastly over complicated and have a significant constraining effect on expansion. We also need some stability in the tax rules to give certainty to taxpayers. For example, constant tinkering in the tax allowances available for capital expenditure by businesses is neither helpful nor effective in delivering sustained growth. Unfortunately, what we are likely to see in next week’s Budget is further detailed tax changes to combat perceived tax avoidance and in an election year, very little by way of bold announcements.

Douglas Haig, vice chairman and director for Wales of the Residential Landlords Association, and member of Cwmbran Landlord Forum

I would like to see the lowest level of Stamp Duty raised more, although changes chancellor made last year were certainly positive. I'd also like to see money given to Landlord Associations' released specifically for enforcement schemes around the private rented sector, to enforce the many laws that are already in place. And lastly, an increase of personal allowance so that if you work 40 hours at minimum wage you are lifted out of income tax.

Andy Wilkins, CEO, Plutus Health, Newport

As a provider of health insurance I would love to see the chancellor provide tax incentives or tax breaks for employers who want to help look after the health and wellbeing of their workforce. At present the provision of health cover by an employer is a taxable benefit for his employees. This could be looked at also. With an ageing, obese population surely health insurance related concessions would benefit all and eventually ease some of the strain on the NHS. A reduction in insurance premium tax for health products is unlikely but wouldn’t go amiss either.