Last Monday, Digby Jones, the director-general of the Confederation of British Industry, wrote to the Chancellor, requesting a "boring" Budget, and lo and behold, that appears to be precisely what yesterday's Budget delivered.

Which doubtless explains why Mr Digby-Jones yesterday praised it as an innovative and meaningful package.

The Swindon business community has similarly welcomed the Budget, albeit tentatively.

Jim Stephens, the financial controller for Cats Solutions, at Rushey Platt, West Swindon, described it as a neutral Budget but added: "There is usually a sting in the tail of the fine print.

"There is no doubt the cost to business and individuals of this Chancellor's spending will be higher taxation in future years."

Simon Bond, the network manager at the Swindon Innovation Centre at the University of Bath in Swindon, said he welcomed the priority that the Budget has placed on research and innovation for the creation of new business opportunities.

"With this policy agenda, the role of the Innovation Centre will be pivotal in helping to create the 'powerhouse' companies that will make and shape our future economy," he said.

The Forum of Private Business was more sceptical and, according to regional spokesman Rick Hopkins: "Spin has pervaded Budget announcements over the past years.

"This makes it very difficult to take the Chancellor's announcement at face value. All of this creates uncertainty for business."

Adam Evans, the managing director at Ace Couriers, in Westmead, said he was glad Mr Brown had delayed the expected rise in fuel duty for six months.

"Transport is a cut-throat business that can of course be affected by high fuel costs," he said.

Peter Hall, the owner of Green Abbey Estates, the Swindon family firm of estate agents, said he wished more had been done to help first-time buyers.

"Anything would have been a blessing, for them and for those at the top end of the market, which grinds to a halt if first-time buyers can't enter the market," he said.

However, the Federation of Small Businesses criticised the Chancellor's U-turn on small company taxation.

FSB regional spokesman Rupert Cox said: "I look forward to studying the subsequent finance bill to see if there are any crumbs of comfort for the hundreds of businesses in Wiltshire who elected to incorporate on the advice of the Chancellor, only to feel the heavy stick of taxation."

And Paul Jameson, of Old Town IT recruitment consultancy Outsource UK, said: "I am concerned we haven't been told the whole story on taxes and there will be some aimed solely at small businesses."

Dennis Grant, the chief executive of Swindon Chamber of Commerce approved of the Budget.

He said: "It makes sense, especially the rationalisation of the Civil Service and the streamlining, with Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise being merged."