Two successive Budgets have done unspeakable damage to small and medium sized firms across the country, but the government does not seem keen to reserve the punishment for set piece fiscal events, says John O’Connell

After the relentless pre-Budget leaks was the catastrophic event itself. Then came the forensic analysis of who knew what when – and the Chancellor playing a pathetic game of cat and mouse with journalists and the public as she tried to dodge questions on what she knew when about the state of the public finances. But no chance to take a breath, I’m afraid. Businesses must now brace for the Employment Rights Bill, which is back in the Commons one major policy lighter after the government ditched rights to claim unfair dismissal from the first day of employment. Ministers clocked that the Lords were assembling to give the Bill a going over, and decided their flagship policy was a price worth paying for safer passage. Instead, a six month period will be allowed during which an employer can decide whether or not a new starter is a good fit for their business.

There is plenty left over to be concerned about. In a transparent piece of misdirection, latest........

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