• Swindon & Wiltshire Events
• Thursday October 15 2026

SME leaders invited to unpack first Healey Budget

Business leaders in Wiltshire are being invited to unpack the first Budget of Andy Burnham’s premiership at a special event in Royal Wootton Bassett later this month.

Chalkhill Blue managing director Chris Spratling and Purple Lime client director David Pritchard will host Budget Unravelled at Royal Wootton Bassett Rugby Football Club on Thursday, October 29, from 4.30pm to 6.30pm.

The free event will offer a practical breakdown of the measures announced in chancellor John Healey’s Budget the previous day, along with an opportunity for networking.

More than 60 business leaders are expected to attend.

Chalkhill Blue provides board-level strategic advice to founders and owners of established SMEs, covering growth, transformation, funding, governance and exit readiness.

Purple Lime is a cloud-based accountancy firm and Xero specialist that supports businesses with compliance, management accounts and strategic financial advice.

The event comes at a pivotal moment for business. It will be the first Budget since Mr Burnham became prime minister and Mr Healey was appointed chancellor, with the chancellor under pressure to fund pledges on energy costs, business rates and public services while maintaining fiscal discipline.

Commentators expect a difficult balancing act. Mr Healey has signalled the Budget will be “tough”, warning that departments may have to manage within existing budgets as global instability pushes up energy prices and government borrowing costs.

Business groups and analysts are watching closely for support for high street firms, possible business rates reform and measures targeting online retailers.

Reports suggest the chancellor may make large online marketplaces responsible for collecting VAT owed by sellers on their platforms, with proceeds potentially used to cut business rates for physical shops.

With growth forecasts weak, inflation still above target and limited room for major tax rises, observers say firms should prepare for a Budget focused on cost pressures, fiscal restraint and targeted support rather than sweeping giveaways.

Places can be reserved via Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-budget-unravelled-tickets-2001873942852?aff=CHBwebsite