Viewpoint: A financially viable new year

December has arrived. The month where we should look forward to merriment and festive fun. A time to come together, reflect on our blessings and look back at the year gone. We celebrate, while also looking forward to the new year and planning for greater successes. There will be no doubting that, for some, 2024 has been a good year. But can that be said for everyone?  

Many reading this column will be reviewing plans they had for 2025 in light of the recent budget. For some, planned investments in new equipment, employment of new staff, and support and training of existing staff may well now have been put on hold considering the increased costs of running a small business inflicted upon business owners by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.