AN ENTREPRENEUR who founded a business with an office in Chester has spoken out ahead of the Autumn Statement.

Katie McCann, founder and managing partner of family law firm Lowry Legal, which has offices in Manchester, Liverpool and Chester is urging urging Chancellor Rachel Reeves not to target SME businesses and entrepreneurs.

She said: “After almost a decade and a half of Tory chaos and ruin it’s understandable and probably undeniable that there is a black hole to fill.

"However the question is: how big is the black hole really; and how quickly do we need to fill it…..with a bulldozer or a shovel?

"Most businesses and entrepreneurs alike would probably agree that in a fair and just society we all need to pay our fair share, but that can't be at the expense of hamstringing growth and stability.

"Spooking business owners, will inevitably lead to job losses and increase the number of unemployed in this country…is that really what’s best for the recovery of the economy?

"If the budget delivers something that lands in the middle ground, I would hazard a guess that most would accept our current reality and just get on with it…but if Starmer and Reeves decide to grab their proverbial sledgehammers, they could get a backlash they were not expecting from the business community."

Lowry Legal was established by family law barrister Katie McCann to provide modern, progressive family law services, offering clients freedom of choice and flexibility in how they access legal services.