Shipster comment on budget 2024

Tony Cheetham, Founder and MD of Shipster, a Manchester-based shipping technology firm, said the Budget was a mixed bag for his business.

“As an SME, the increase in employers' NI contributions will be a hard pill to swallow for us. As a growing tech company wages are nearly 75% of our entire budget.

“The promise to fully fund the electrification of the lines between Manchester and Leeds is extremely good news. This project is decades late. And the promise to fund the tunnel work to get HS2 straight into Euston is amazing news for companies like us who work in the capital regularly.

“The establishment of GB energy shows that unlike the previous Conservative government, Labour fully understands that we need strong government leadership in the vital sectors of our economy, and that the government can get directly involved when private businesses are failing us. I hope this will eventually be enacted in the water, and transportation markets at some point in the near future as well.”

Founded in 2015, Shipster is a custom shipping integration platform which connects online retailers, eCommerce warehouses and distributors with over 100 leading couriers.