The chancellor's Budget has been welcomed by the BPIF as "being of benefit to thousands of printers".


Director of corporate affairs Mike Hopkins said that although it was in line with government policies, "there are several issues we can take hope from".


Hopkins said the proposal to raise the VAT threshold would bring in thousands of small printers, whose VAT returns will now be simplified.


"A company with a turnover of 600,000 is at least a 12-man printing outfit. This will mean those firms can now file their returns annually rather than quarterly."


Hopkins added that the excise duty freeze on fuels would be of benefit not only to printers, but also paper producers, with the hope that "lower import costs could be a result."


Chancellor Gordon Brown also announced a 9m job transition package, which includes training for the long-term unemployed and provide assistance for companies with skills shortages.


"Although we welcome this, we are more in favour of improving the skills of people in our industry currently in work," said Hopkins.


And Hopkins was unhappy with the chancellor's indication that the UK was lagging behind the US in the productivity stakes by 45%.


"We are currently conducting our own competitive study, which is funded by the DTI, and we shall be tackling the chancellor on his claims," said Hopkins.


Story by Andy Scott