Budget comment from a lender

Mel Hird, director and founder of Fresh Thinking Capital, said in regard to today's budget: "Churchhill said courage is rightly esteemed as the first of human qualities, and this was a budget without that quality. I mentor young people, and their biggest issue is confidence, which I believe comes from opportunity. It's hard to inspire young people to a career in Yorkshire when it feels like everything is going backwards.

"We urgently need a budget to inspire the next generation and give them the belief that things will get better. This means better job opportunities, training, and quality of life, all driven by the connectivity of an efficient road and rail network. But we need action in addition to transport to give businesses the confidence and support they need to recruit and train the next generation of talent.”