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In the news
Mayoral candidates brand 'appalling' election delay a 'sorry mess' as Labour defends decision
The government has postponed "fast-tracked" elections for a new Suffolk and Norfolk mayor for two years, prompting fury from candidates who have branded the decision "appalling" and a "sorry mess".News
Ipswich welcomes Ipswich: Chambers explore cross-border ties
England might be trailing Australia 1-0 in the Ashes Down Under but Ipswich hosted a friendlier encounter after Queensland's Ipswich Chamber president visited Suffolk to explore business ties.News
Why Suffolk must keep faith in its own economy
The national verdict on Rachel Reeves' Budget has been damning. Analysts have warned of contracting investment, stealth taxes and a squeeze on living standards since the Chancellor's fiscal statement. But those forecasts mean nothing if Suffolk businesses talk themselves into paralysis.Opinion
Roadshow aims to unlock millions in apprenticeship funding
Suffolk businesses are being urged to maximise their apprenticeship levy funds at a series of roadshow events designed to help employers access millions in unspent funding that would otherwise return to central government.News
Suffolk firms put big decisions on ice as Budget divides confidence
Five days after Rachel Reeves delivered her £26 billion tax-raising Budget, Suffolk businesses remain divided on whether the Chancellor has provided the certainty they need – with most major investment decisions deferred until 2026 as firms weigh painful clarity against missing reforms.Feature
Budget 2025: Who wins and who loses in Ipswich
From frozen tax thresholds to scrapped benefit caps, the chancellor's latest Budget will reshape the finances of thousands of Ipswich households and businesses. We break down exactly who benefits and who pays the price.Feature
'Half the hospitality industry could disappear': Ipswich businesses raise warnings ahead of Budget
Retailers, hospitality leaders and small firms across Suffolk warn of closures, job losses and stalled investment as Budget looms.News
Suffolk reaction to pre-Budget speech: 'Don't even think about it'
A blunt message has been delivered to Chancellor Rachel Reeves from business leaders across Suffolk following her pre-Budget speech this morning: "No more business taxes. End of."News
Suffolk businesses map strategy to influence new regional mayor
Over 125 business and political leaders gathered on Friday, 24 October, to hold MPs accountable for delivering on economic priorities and shape how Suffolk will work with the Norfolk and Suffolk mayor once elected next year.News
Ipswich unemployment falls 9% in a year, faster than UK
Ipswich unemployment is falling twice as fast as the national average – but the town still has one of the highest jobless rates in the East of England.News
Suffolk Chamber slams Government as Suffolk snubbed in £92bn transport investment
In a blow to the Chamber and our region, the Ely/Haughley junction improvements have been excluded from transport upgrades announced today, despite the Government backing over 50 road and rail schemes across England worth £92 billion.News
Suffolk firms demand no more tax rises as government faces budget hole
Local businesses are calling for a freeze on business taxes, with 74% of Suffolk firms worried about tax levels following recent National Insurance increases. It comes after government welfare concessions scrapped £5bn in planned savings, raising concerns that Autumn's budget will bring further tax rises.News
Major local employers unite behind Northern Bypass in bid to end Ipswich's traffic 'stalemate'
Nine major employers have broken their silence on the town's transport crisis, declaring the current situation "simply not acceptable" for a region of such economic significance as they unite behind an Ipswich Northern Bypass bid.News
Suffolk businesses meet shadow business secretary in Westminster
Two dozen Suffolk organisations joined the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce for a House of Commons meeting with Andrew Griffith MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade.News
Suffolk's biggest energy users to meet at carbon reduction conference
The Suffolk High Energy Users' Network will host its first annual conference on 17th July, bringing together business leaders and policymakers to showcase progress in reducing industrial emissions.News
Government commits £14.2bn to Sizewell C nuclear power station
Chancellor Rachel Reeves will announce £14.2bn funding for the Suffolk nuclear site at the GMB union conference, fifteen years after the project was first proposed.News
Orwell Bridge lane closures start Monday as region snubbed by government on transport funding
The Orwell Bridge will face significant traffic restrictions from 16 June, with overnight closures and a contraflow system affecting journeys between Ipswich and Felixstowe. The "essential maintenance" starts just two weeks after the East of England was, yet again, overlooked by the government for desperately needed infrastructure investment.News
Business leaders call for more warning as Orwell Bridge repairs brought forward from 2027 to this June
Essential work to replace two westbound joints on the A14 Orwell Bridge will now begin this summer instead of 2027 as originally planned.News
Suffolk businesses face "most challenging environment since COVID"
Suffolk Chamber of Commerce's latest survey reveals local business activity and future prospects have plummeted to their lowest point since 2020/21.News
Partnership to inspire Suffolk's next generation of female construction workers
A ground-breaking collaboration between Suffolk Chamber and Women in Construction Anglia aims to address the construction sector's skills shortage while increasing diversity in an industry where women currently make up only 15% of the workforce.News
Rail and A12 prioritised over Northern Bypass in transport bid
Transport East has submitted funding requests for multiple infrastructure projects in Suffolk, but an Ipswich Northern Bypass is a notable absence from its proposals.News
'Hearts sink when Orwell Bridge closes': Haulier backs bypass campaign
A Felixstowe logistics director has described how bridge closures create chaos for both port businesses and local commuters as he supports calls for an Ipswich Northern Bypass.News
Suffolk Chamber's A14 report reveals damning impact on Suffolk businesses as MPs speak out on proposed solutions
Suffolk faces a potential economic crisis as 83% of businesses say ongoing A14 disruption will force them to cut jobs unless significant improvements are made within the next decade.News
PM agrees to ministerial talks on Ipswich's Northern Bypass
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has promised to arrange a meeting about Ipswich's Northern Bypass, responding to mounting pressure over the town's traffic problems and a stark warning about the Orwell Bridge's future.News
Suffolk Chamber welcomes new patrons Scrutton Bland and Halo Service Solutions
Suffolk Chamber of Commerce has announced the addition of Halo Service Solutions and Scrutton Bland as new patrons, expanding its network of influential local businesses.News
Ipswich MP Jack Abbott calls for Northern Bypass to be given national priority status
Ipswich MP Jack Abbott has written to the Prime Minister urging him to designate an Ipswich Northern Bypass as nationally significant infrastructure as the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce prepares to release damning evidence of A14 disruption's impact on the local economy.News
'It could be so much better': Local business leaders respond to sobering Suffolk Chamber economic survey
As the Suffolk Chamber's latest survey reveals business confidence is at a two-year low, local leaders speak out about navigating through mounting tax pressures and economic uncertainty.Feature
'There must be no further tax hikes' as Suffolk Chamber warns of 'grim' outlook for local businesses
The Suffolk Chamber of Commerce's latest economic survey shows widespread pessimism and decline among local businesses, with more than 80% expressing concerns about tax levels.News
Concern as Port of Felixstowe loses major shipping routes to expanding London Gateway
The loss of major shipping routes to London Gateway highlights a growing infrastructure gap between Suffolk and Essex, with business leaders, experts and campaigners warning that the Port of Felixstowe's future depends on urgent transport improvements.News
Chamber launches new group as Suffolk businesses face tough choices over water use
Suffolk businesses must reduce their water usage by 9% by 2038 under government plans, in what is already the most water-depleted region in the country. A new chamber of commerce group aims to help companies meet this challenge.News
Suffolk businesses urged to join Chamber's fight to fix Suffolk's A14 problem – before it's too late
A new campaign to address persistent problems on Suffolk's A14 has been launched by the county's Chamber of Commerce. Local businesses are being asked to join the fight by sharing how road issues impact their operations.News
Suffolk leaders unite to boost county's influence on government
Over 100 leaders from Suffolk met last week to strategise how the county can better align with the new Labour government's priorities and get us to the "front of the Government funding queue.”News
Suffolk transport plan launched amid urgent calls for Orwell Bridge action
Suffolk County Council is seeking public feedback on its new Local Transport Plan, while business leaders demand immediate solutions for persistent Orwell Bridge disruptions.News
Thousands of young people to attend FutureSkills Fair in Ipswich
A major careers event aimed at inspiring 14-16 year olds is set to take place at Suffolk New College on 4 November, with 3,000 youngsters already signed up to attend.News
Suffolk Chamber slams Orwell Bridge closure as "bad for business"
The Suffolk Chamber of Commerce has criticised the partial closure of Orwell Bridge, calling it "reputationally embarrassing for Suffolk" and demanding action from policymakers.News
Cybersecurity experts to host interactive business brunch in Ipswich
Local businesses can learn how to strengthen their human firewall against cyber threats at an upcoming interactive event in Ipswich.News
Suffolk Chamber and Combat2Coffee urge local businesses to support veterans by signing Armed Forces Covenant
Suffolk Chamber of Commerce and Combat2Coffee are urging local businesses to support veterans by signing the Armed Forces Covenant, as only 0.48% of Suffolk businesses have pledged so far.News
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