- "In the last 20 years our business has changed considerably…and as the focus of our business has changed, Bird Luckin have moved with us."
Alex Tanner, George Tanner (Shalford) Ltd - "Bird Luckin has looked after us incredibly well for over 60 years, they are pro-active and innovational - meeting all our needs to help us achieve our aims."
Richard Stubbings, Cliffords Limited - "I can honestly say that Bird Luckin are the best firm of accountants and auditors I have ever dealt with - and I don't say that lightly!"
Colin Webb, Walthamstow Stadium - "It's important for us to know that we will always be able to contact the right people to give us the right advice and support."
Jane Bennett, Bennetts Funeral Directors - "Although we deal mainly with one Partner … we also know that if we need to contact someone else who is a specialist in another area, we can get the advice we need quickly and easily"
Jeremy Ruggles, J.S. Wright & Sons Ltd - "Bird Luckin got us to a stage which would have taken us months - if not years - to reach on our own, and they got us there in a matter of weeks"
Matthew Sullivan, SNC Ltd - "You can be a good accountant, but if you don't have an understanding of the industry it can be very difficult. "There are two or three people we have regular contact with at Bird Luckin who know our business well, and it makes a difference.""
Robert Church, W A Church (Bures) Ltd - "The work which Bird Luckin has done for Boddingtons over the past few months has helped shape our future direction for the better."
John Warner, Chief Executive, Boddingtons Ltd - "Bird Luckin has acted for us since our inception 10 years ago. They have a very 'can do' yet highly professional attitude - we are very appreciative of their support and advice over the years."
Marlon Fox, Outlook Property Ltd
Pensions
One of the headline statements in the spending review was the anticipated confirmation that the state retirement age for men and women is to be equalised at 65 by November 2018.
The retirement age for both men and women will then rise to 66 by April 2020, some four years ahead of previous plans.
It is thought the move will affect more than five million people.
For the ten years between 2015 and 2025, the government estimates that the change will save some £30 billion in state spending on pensions and pensioner benefits, while raising an extra £13 billion in income tax and NIC receipts.
Although it is to carry a 26 per cent reduction in its core budget, the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) is to have the funds to introduce the planned new workplace pension scheme that will mean the automatic enrolment of all employees who are not already members of pension schemes.
The DWP will also set up the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) which will manage the auto-enrolment scheme's funds.
Taking on board the recommendations of John Hutton's interim review of public sector pensions, the government is to raise the level of contributions made by employees.
The exact nature of the additional contributions will have to wait until Lord Hutton's final report is submitted, but the Chancellor said that progressive changes to employee contributions could see savings of up £1.8 billion by 2014/15.
The increases should be implemented from April 2012.
Elsewhere, the maximum award paid under the Pension Credit is to be frozen for four years as from 2011/12.