GORDON Brown could have done much more to help businesses such as construction and engineering group Roland Bardsley, said chief executive Colin Houlihan.

But he was relieved the Chancellor did not significantly increase the burden of taxation.

Roland Bardsley Construction, based in Dukinfield, employs 538 people and turns over '64m. It builds houses, designs and manufactures beer pumps and operates hotels.

Mr Houlihan said: "It's a relatively conservative Budget but we welcome the fact that Mr Brown has raised the stamp duty threshold. It will help first-time buyers.

"However, we would have preferred an increase to '150,000 which we consider a more appropriate level given current house prices."

He was hoping for a cut in corporation tax which never materialised and likewise measures to stimulate more development on brownfield sites.

Red tape is an enormous headache for the group, and Mr Houlihan said the proof would be in the pudding as far as the Chancellor's pledges to cut the burden of regulation. He said: "Our health and safety manager spends about 25 per cent of his time keeping on top of legislation. It's been rising at a rate of knots.

"We will wait to see whether the promises to cut this burden are delivered."

Mr Houlihan fears the lack of action on brownfield developments could force up house prices because there will be a continued squeeze on available land for new schemes.

One bright spot for Roland Bardsley is the improved tax credits for spending on research and development.

The group spends about '100,000 a year on this and should benefit to the tune of '20,000, said Mr Houlihan.