Future 'looks bleak' for company boss

By Jo Perry Central reporter, BBC Scotland news website

A study by the TUC has suggested that more than 10% of British workers fear losing their job as a result of the economic slowdown.

The BBC Scotland news website spoke to one businessman who fears his firm may have to fold if conditions do not improve.

David Balfour has taken a 50% pay cut in the last year

In the last 10 years, the company has undertaken contracts for British Aerospace and Norwich Union as well as catering for local customers.

Before last year, he said his company was generating between �50,000 and �100,000 a year.

From that he was able to draw a good living wage, pay his mortgage and run a company van.

He said: "Around September last year things started to go bad. I finished a contract and it took me seven months to get another one.

"There were two or three instances where I would be waiting for my next contract to start but then I would be told that the company I was working for no longer had the money to go ahead.

"Fuel costs have risen to such a point that I can't afford to take jobs where travelling is involved.

"Money has become so tight with road tax going up on my transit van that I am trying to downsize."

'Entirely responsible'

David, 40, said that his outlook for the future was bleak and urged the UK Government to step in to save small traders suffering the effects of higher fuel costs and interest rates.

He added: "The Scottish Government have helped the fishermen with fuel costs, I think it's time the UK Government helped out small businesses.

"Everybody says that we're going into a recession but I think we've been in a recession since last year.

"I've had to take a 50% pay cut and I'm using the last of my savings to keep the business afloat.

"I hold Mr Brown entirely responsible for this. Corporation tax has gone up, fuel costs have gone up and the rates I am paid are going down.

"If this goes on, I'm going to have to fold after more than 10 years hard work."

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