THE BUDGET provoked extensive reaction from individuals and organisations in Gwent.

Matt Southall, the managing director of Acorn, felt that some of his clients would have concerns about extensions to maternity pay and transferring some leave to fathers.

He said: "These proposals could have a real impact on employers who are already experiencing severe resourcing difficulties.

"Although employers can appreciate the long-term benefits of offering flexible working provisions, it is difficult to see how organisations can cope with more leave arrangements at a time of such acute resourcing difficulties due to an increasingly tight labour market."

On the other hand, he thought measures announced by the chancellor to entice lone parents back into the labour market would be good for British business.

Not surprisingly, women's champion Chwarae Teg disagreed about maternity provision.

Yvonne Griffith-Jones said: "Chwarae Teg welcomes the chancellor's announcement to increase childcare places and extend maternity rights.

"It makes sound economic sense to break down the barriers for women to the labour market and to provide time for them to spend at home with their families during their maternity leave.

"Scandinavian countries have been doing this for years and have seen their female inactivity rate fall sharply as more women return to work after having children because more childcare places are available."

On the property front, the Royal Institute of Char-tered Surveyors (Rics) found the raising of the stamp duty threshold to £120,000 "a step in the right direction". But it claimed more must be done to help first-time buyers and key workers in house price hot spots.

Rics wants to see the threshold raised to £150,000 to take into account house price inflation since the last review of 1993. It also wants to see the steep jumps between stamp duty levels dissolved and be replaced with a more graduated system.

Rics welcomed the increased spending on primary school building and refurbishment. It said private sector investment would also be key to the success of the programme.

The Principality Building Society agreed with Rics on the value of the new stamp duty threshhold and the need to get rid of the steep jumps in the way it's levied.

On the savings front, the society's managing director, Tracy Morshead, said: "Cash ISAs have been popular with our members since their launch in 1999. The tax-free element is appealing and certainly encourages those on lower incomes to save.

"We are delighted that, for the first time since 2001, the chancellor has referred to savings in the budget and has decided to keep current ISA limits for another five years."

Ms Morshead also welcomed the chancellor's easing of the inheritance tax burden to £300,000 over the next three years, ensuring that 94 per cent of estates will not be taxed.

Michael Leahy, the Pontypool-based leader of the steel and textile workers union Community said the budget would "deliver support and opportunity for millions of British workers and their families". He was particularly pleased about support for training and in particular the union-supplied variety. "The support will extend the opportunities for British workers to enhance their education and skills. This will not only allow them to develop their potential, but it will also be a major boost to the skill base in a competitive global economy.

"This contrasts with the Tories' plans to scrap the Union Learning Fund as part of their £35 billion worth of public cuts."

He also welcomed a new provision for incapacity benefit. "People who come off incapacity benefit but find they need to return to it will immediately re-qualify rather than have to wait 28 weeks. This is something for which the union has long-campaigned."

British Retail Consortium director-general Kevin Hawkins, focused on the economic big picture and the news about reducing red tape.

"The BRC welcomes the chancellor's recognition that both low inflation and low interest rates are the key to stability in the UK economy. We're relieved that Gordon Brown has done nothing to further weaken consumer confidence. His actions may even have a positive impact.

"We welcome the government's commitment to the recommendations set out by the Better Regulation Task Force and the Hampton Review. The 'less is more' principle is a sensible one when it comes to unnecessary regulation.

"The BRC has campaigned hard to reduce the burden of regulation and for more consistent enforcement targeted towards rogue traders.

"While we support the proposals, everything will depend on whether they are fully and wholeheartedly implemented. They must not be left on a shelf to gather dust."