Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) has expressed no shock at Chancellor Alistair Darling’s pre-election budget, but rather voiced satisfaction over the help he extended towards small enterprises that would greatly benefit many of ABTA’s members.

The chancellor declared that financial institutions with large public sector ownership will lend £41 billion to small firms in the next 12 months. An adjudicator post will also be made to impose judgement on bank lending decisions. Moreover, the government official informed that there will be a new scheme that will make sure Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) are fairly treated when applying for loans.

Meanwhile, Darling said that small businesses would be given flexible tax payment packages, so that they can manage their cash flow more effectively. Daryl Nurthen, Business Support Manager of ABTA, commented that this year’s government budget is very beneficial for businesses. She said that ABTA will be conducting thorough analysis about the new schemes and will later provide the details to its members.

ABTA is delighted as well with the government’s backing for Heathrow Airport’s expansion and unrelenting support to improve the country’s transport system, including Crossrail. However, the organisation’s appeal to scrap the Air Passenger Duty (APD) has gone by the way-side, with Darling already deciding not to change the planned air travel tax increase in November.