Suffolk business leaders are feeling positive after a face-to-face meeting with the woman who hopes to become the UK's next Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Suffolk Chamber hosted a private meeting with Labour shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves ahead of a gathering later in the evening at the Willis building in Ipswich on Thursday (February 29).

The chamber brought together businesses from the county's main growth sectors to explain the trading conditions they were operating in and to outline their main lobbying agenda.

A key focus was infrastructure - including the release of funds for the Ely and Haughley rail junctions, how to accelerate the rollout of 5G in Suffolk’s rural areas and the need for a sub-region solution to Orwell Bridge closures.

Ipswich Star:

They raised issues about skills - especially concerns about the March 2025 funding cliff-edge for the successful Chamber-run Local Skills Improvement Plan.

They also raised concerns about business rates and the administration of research and development (R&D) Tax Relief on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Ms Reeves told the meeting that growing the economy would be the number one priority for an incoming Labour Party - and that she was looking for a partnership approach with business to unlock the country’s growth potential.

Ipswich Star:

Suffolk Chamber's head of public affairs Paul Simon said: “This was a positive face-to-face meeting and a golden opportunity to explain how and why Suffolk can make even more of a sustained contribution to national prosperity if only we are given the tools to do the job.

“The businesses present were mightily impressive in advocating for better infrastructure, an improved local skills pipeline and a smarter and fairer corporate taxation system.

"But above all, with Suffolk businesses increasingly holding back on longer-term capital and employment investment plans, we seek a clearer framework for achieving the right relationship between government and commerce.”

Ipswich Star:

Labour's prospective parliamentary candidate for Ipswich Jack Abbott was also at the private meeting.

“I wanted to showcase the depth and breadth of talent we have here, so Rachel and I met with Suffolk Chamber of Commerce and a range of businesses to discuss some of the key issues on our county’s agenda," he said.

“I know Rachel left Ipswich with a strong sense of the things we need in Ipswich and Suffolk to grow, whether that is investment into our infrastructure, or the changes we require to revive the town centre, such as the reform of business rates.”