by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Hopes that today's Budget would back an East Kent enterprise zone may be dashed.

Sources close to the Government suggest that a new Research Innovation and Technology Zone (RITZ) proposed by the taskforce seeking a future role for the Pfizer site at Sandwich is not among a list of zones announced today.

If this proves correct, taskforce members calling on the Government to back revival of the site after the drugs giant pulls out in 2012 will be disappointed.

Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne is expected to confirm that enterprises zones will be confined to the Midlands and North. Such zones give tax, National Insurance and planning breaks to businesses setting up and creating jobs in the area.

South Thanet MP and taskforce member Laura Sandys said recently:"The task force believes that the designation of Sandwich, Manston and key sites within East Kent as a Research, Innovation and Technology Zone could help stabilise the site and create new employment opportunities.

"This aspiring proposition could see Sandwich and East Kent building on its existing skills base and leading the way in global enterprise, science and technology."

While Mr Osborne's expected "Budget for Growth" may not extend to East Kent, he will announce small income tax threshold changes, which could see basic rate taxpayers a few pounds a week better off. There is also to be help for first time housebuyers and a halt to the proposed automatic rise in fuel duty on April Fools Day to ease the misery on motorists and road hauliers.

The Freight Transport Association, based in Tunbridge Wells, has called on Mr Osborne to freeze duty at the current levels until next year, and introduce a fuel price stabiliser that would ease duty when outside influences such as political turmoil in the Middle East push up the cost of a barrel of oil.