Hannah Vickers, chief executive of the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) which represents the companies who design, deliver and manage our national infrastructure, said:

“Without understanding the full impact of COVID on public finances, it makes sense to postpone the Budget until spring 2021. A medium-term delay to policy decision making is preferable if the alternative is a rapidly shifting picture without any idea on the direction of travel.

“While the situation remains delicate for many businesses, previously made commitments to the short-term procurement pipeline remain crucial to supporting jobs through the ‘second phase’ of the COVID crisis.

“The Chancellor’s new Job Support Scheme announced today will be welcomed by many small and medium sized employers in our sector, we look forward to the detail and fully understanding when larger employers are eligible for the scheme. We’d also like to see whether these schemes can be used to support the emerging professionals in our industry and provide the space to nurture and develop new skills. The extensions to the Coronavirus Loan Scheme, flexibility on VAT deferral and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme are also positive steps.”