Small business owners in the UK have unanimously called for the Chancellor’s second financial statement in four months to realise pre-election promises for the sector given in the emergency budget, according to Sage.

Sage surveyed a sample of 400 small business owners, which it said revealed an undisputable call for the government to deliver on key issues such as business rates and red tape for small businesses.

George Osborne has outlined the priorities for the summer Budget, including new laws to set into stone no rises in income tax, VAT and National Insurance.

Lee Perkins, Managing Director, Sage UKI, said:

“Our customers would also like to see immediate action tackling the current inefficient and outdated business rate system in the UK.

“Heading into his first budget after the Conservative’s election victory in May, Osborne has a clear foundation of confidence from the small business community with over two thirds stating they are either very or fairly confident he is able to deliver economic growth over the next five years. Osborne has a task ahead of him to deliver tangible results despite a show of confidence as over a third of small businesses saw no real change to their business position over the last five years.”

Reducing red tape is also a major priority for small businesses, with more than half of business owners in the survey citing this as an issue the Chancellor should prioritise. Mr Perkins added:

“If the Chancellor is to follow through with the Conservative party campaign message that it is with the ‘grafters and the roofers and the retailers and the plumbers’, he will need to demonstrate the government’s support of small businesses with clear actions that could ultimately lead to a British small business renaissance.”