Suffolk Chamber statement on the Queen’s speech

“Suffolk businesses will certainly be interested in the proposed Energy, Transport and Levelling Up & Regeneration Bills and how they might impact on the much-needed investment in the county’s infrastructure and skills base. Suffolk Chamber will be at the forefront in working with our MPs and other legislators to ensure that the county receives its fair share to maximise its contribution to its own and the country’s long-term sustainable growth.

“However, of much more immediate concern to the Chamber, its members and the wider business community are the current challenging trading conditions. With the cost of energy and other inputs rising steeply, growing labour and skills shortages and excessive corporate taxation, we are worried about the short to medium term prospects unless the Government creates a more supportive fiscal environment.

“That is why Suffolk Chamber is calling for an emergency budget in the coming weeks that expressly delivers a pro-business programme by reversing the recent Employer NI hike, cuts VAT from 20% to 5% from SME’s energy bills and addresses the ongoing high absentee rates being experienced in some sectors by reintroducing free COVID tests for businesses and their staff.”