Hiking employers’ national insurance rates has caused particular consternation in the industry, where profit margins are slender and the collapse of ISG still fresh in the memory. So too has the change in the inheritance tax regime, which has alarmed the many family businesses that make up the backbone of the sector. THE Scottish Plant Owners Association (SPOA) fears the measures announced in the recent UK budget will triggera “catastrophic decline” in the planthire industry.John Sibbald, president of the SPOA,said: “The Budget was described as one of growth but we fear that the economic impact of many of the policies will do the exact opposite in our industry. It is our strong belief that it is not possible to grow the economy through such high levels of taxation, soon to come into force as a result of the autumn budget. ”The key areas which the SPOA believes will “irreversibly change” the plant industry are the removal of 100% Business Property Relief (BPR) and Agricultural Property Relief (APR); the National Insurance (NI) and minimum wage changes; and double cab pick-ups no longer being classed as goods vehicles. The Construction Plant-hire Association is similarly aggrieved at the Budget’s “anti-business” stance. Chief Executive Steve Mulholland, said: “We believe that the Budget is one of the most anti-entrepreneurial presented in the last forty years. ”Richard Beresford, Chief Executive of the National Federation of Builders (NFB), said his members are also unhappy and are in support of the protest demonstrations by farmers. “Many construction companies are generational businesses operating on tight margins, uncertain cashflow and aging workforces. We therefore stand behind farmers who oppose this budget decision because the growth-hindering, anti-business tax changes also apply to our industry.”