This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/8006518.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Firms urge minimum wage freeze Firms urge minimum wage freeze
(1 day later)
Business leaders have called for a minimum wage freeze as part of measures to help private industry drive the economy out of recession.Business leaders have called for a minimum wage freeze as part of measures to help private industry drive the economy out of recession.
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) called for more support in Wednesday's Budget, including cutting small businesses' corporation tax.The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) called for more support in Wednesday's Budget, including cutting small businesses' corporation tax.
"It will be business that drives the economy forward, creating jobs and wealth," said BCC chief David Frost."It will be business that drives the economy forward, creating jobs and wealth," said BCC chief David Frost.
He warned that many more companies could fail unless the government acts.He warned that many more companies could fail unless the government acts.
The suggestion that the minimum wage should be frozen is one of a number of ways the body said the chancellor could help "embattled" private industry.The suggestion that the minimum wage should be frozen is one of a number of ways the body said the chancellor could help "embattled" private industry.
The Budget is an opportunity for the government to prove its commitment to business during this recession David FrostBCC director general 'Freedom and flexibility'
It wants the Budget to include moves to reduce the rate of small companies' corporation tax.It wants the Budget to include moves to reduce the rate of small companies' corporation tax.
The Budget is an opportunity for the government to prove its commitment to business during this recession David FrostBCC director general What could be in the 2009 Budget
It has also called for help to encourage short-time working rather than redundancy.It has also called for help to encourage short-time working rather than redundancy.
Mr Frost said: "The chancellor's Budget is an opportunity for the government to prove its commitment to British business during this recession."Mr Frost said: "The chancellor's Budget is an opportunity for the government to prove its commitment to British business during this recession."
He added that unless businesses are given "the freedom and flexibility needed to survive and prosper, many more companies will go bust, and sadly, many more jobs will be lost."He added that unless businesses are given "the freedom and flexibility needed to survive and prosper, many more companies will go bust, and sadly, many more jobs will be lost."
The organisation also suggested the creation of enterprise zones to boost local economies.The organisation also suggested the creation of enterprise zones to boost local economies.
Other measures it calls for include the reintroduction of empty property rate relief and a reversal in the planned 0.5% increase for National Insurance contributions in 2011.