Suffolk businesses calling on Government to level up East Anglia
The chancellor Rishi Sunak will present his second budget to Parliament today.
Ahead of the Budget announcement today, businesses in Suffolk are calling for more investment by the Government in the county as part of their levelling-up agenda.
Andy Walker is the head of policy and public affairs for Suffolk Chamber of Commerce. He says: "We've seen quite a lot of funding announced recently for the North-West and Midlands. It's only right that businesses and residents in Suffolk and East Anglia get their fair share of investment. "
"We would like to see the levelling-up funding immediately or in the short-term future, to help businesses."
It was announced on Monday that the Budget will include plans to raise the national minimum wage from £8.91 to £9.50 an hour, for those over 23 years of age. Mr. Walker welcomes the change but stresses that there has to be no further increase to business costs.
"The rise in minimum wage was about time, due to inflation and rising gas prices but there is currently a lot of upfront costs on businesses.
"With corporation tax due to increase and the already announced rise in national insurance contributions, a pause in any further increases would be useful to help businesses recover from the pandemic and EU withdrawal."
The most urgent need for businesses, Mr. Walker says, is a break from rising businesses taxes: "It's about time the Government publishes the long awaited review of business rates. It is in need of reform quite quickly. We would like to see some progressive policy changes, perhaps one based on turnover."
Soaring energy prices are also putting pressure on many businesses.
"It's having a huge impact on businesses, particularly in manufacturing, construction etc. So perhaps a temporary price cap will be welcome" he adds.