Neither of the main parties is offering a clear boost for business in their "mixed bag" election manifestos, according to an Ipswich tax expert.

Andrew Diver, head of tax at Ipswich-based accountancy firm Beatons Group, said sweeping statements were the order of the day - with lots of top line pledges around subjects such as business rates, non-dom tax and stamp duty.

But Conservative and Labour parties don’t seem to have much to say on improving the current business climate, he said.

A few policies over-lapped - and there was "no clear voice" on which party has the strongest desire to help boost companies.

In contrast, there were pledges for individuals around changes to child benefit clawback, national insurance and stamp duty for house buyers.

"Neither of the main parties are pledging to improve the situation for businesses. Both have pledged not to increase the Corporation Tax Rate, income tax or National Insurance," he said.

The Tories have pledged to cut the cost of net zero by guaranteeing no new green levies but accelerating the roll out of renewables.

More post-Brexit trade deals could reduce some import and export duties making UK goods more competitive overseas, the party suggests.

Tory pledges to individuals include the state pension triple lock plus, first-time buyers' stamp duty relief on homes up to £425k, and no capital gains tax for landlords selling let property to current tenants.

The Conservative Party is also promising a 2% cut in employee National Insurance contributions (NIC) and and end to NIC for self-employed people by 2027.

Child benefit thresholds should be raised to £120k per family rather than the the current £60k per person. Non-domiciled tax would be reformed.

Like the Conservatives, Labour plans to cap Corporation Tax at 25%, he said.

Labour has also pledged to reform the business rates system.

"Their idea will generate the same income, but work differently to the current regime. Information regarding the operation of this is vague," he said.

Labour also said it would set out a roadmap for business taxation for the next parliament - but has given no timeframe.

"This would enable businesses to plan investment if they can be certain of the rate of tax relief on capital items," said Mr Diver.

Labour says it would help small businesses with action on late payments and access to capital.

"This would be a reform of British Business Bank which could help small businesses buying vital equipment to help them grow," he said.

Meantime, Labour has pledged reform of non-domiciled taxation for individuals, income tax and inheritance tax and of non-domiciled excluded property trusts for inheritance tax.

It plans to introduce VAT on private school fees and raise stamp duty on residential property purchased by non-UK residents.

Private equity tax would be raised through its plan to charge capital gains rates rather than income tax rates, he said.

"There are not many tax cutting pledges from either of the main parties. The difference is more about how they plan to raise additional funding."

"The Labour Non-Dom changes are more significant than the Conservative Party's and should generate more tax revenue."

Like the Labour party, the Liberal Democrats would also abolish business rates and replace with commercial landowner levy. This would make the landlord liable to pay rather than the tenant, and will be based upon land value alone, said Mr Diver.

The Lib Dems have also pledge to raise Capital Gains Tax rates in line with income tax rates and introduce a wealth tax.

But wealth taxes are difficult to implement, said Mr Diver, and many countries have tried and failed by introducing significant exemptions which then render the taxes largely irrelevant.

"Capital gains tax increases can create short term distortions in revenues and can become a disincentive for people to sell or transfer assets, for example when selling businesses to the next generation," he added.