Small business owners believe that a reduction in employers' National Insurance contribution rate in the forthcoming Budget would provide the biggest boost for their business, according to a new survey by Intuit.

More than 45% of those surveyed listed this as the number one measure that they wanted to see the Chancellor implement, followed by 33% who called tighter government controls of bank charges and 27% who want a further deferment of the rate of increase of corporation tax.

Small firm owners are pessimistic over the budget, with only 10% of respondents believing that April's Budget will include measures that will have a positive impact on their businesses.

"In such a tough economic environment, small businesses want to manage their costs more efficiently, which would explain why the reduction of employers' National Insurance contribution rate has come out on top of the wish list," said Diana Flier, compliance analyst at Intuit

"Given the low confidence shown by small businesses in the survey, it is clear the government really needs to do more to help and the Budget presents that opportunity to address their most pressing needs."