Suffolk businesses lobby Tory leader on A14 and jobs costs

Why it matters: The A14 and Orwell Bridge were among the key issues raised at the meeting, held at the House of Commons on Monday, 1 June, as pressure continues to grow on politicians of all parties to address Suffolk's chronic road network problems.

The details: The lunchtime meeting, sponsored by Nick Timothy, MP for West Suffolk, brought together representatives from more than a dozen organisations, including Associated British Ports (ABP), the University of Suffolk, Anglian Water, Greene King, Network Rail, BT Adastral Park, Sizewell C, Turners, Tattersalls and Ukrspecsystems.

Topics discussed included the Employment Rights Act (ERA), the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), Agricultural Property Relief (APR), Business Tax Relief (BTR) and the wider cost burden on businesses.

What they're saying: John Dugmore, Suffolk Chamber's chief executive, said: "Suffolk Chamber is very grateful to Nick Timothy for facilitating this important opportunity and to Kemi Badenoch for both giving us so much of her time and her clear, keen interest in and support for the businesses."

Nick Timothy MP said: "Kemi and I were delighted to meet and listen to such an impressive range of Suffolk businesses. Companies like these are the backbone of the British economy – creating jobs, driving growth and investing in their communities."

Paul Simon, head of public affairs at Suffolk Chamber, described it as "one of the most high-powered business delegations that Suffolk Chamber has had the privilege of convening in recent years," adding: "Every single businessperson achieved a lobbying bullseye in raising an issue of maximum importance to Suffolk's business community."

The key asks: Suffolk Chamber has since followed up the meeting with a list of policy recommendations for the Conservative Party's ongoing review. These include:

• A cross-party national infrastructure plan spanning multiple electoral cycles, covering road, rail, connectivity and utilities, with the A14, Orwell Bridge and the Ely and Haughley rail junctions specifically highlighted.
• Continued opposition to changes to APR and BTR, which the Chamber said are causing "considerable concerns and damage".
• A reversal of the planned extension of the UK ETS to the maritime sector from July 2026, which would bring ports and domestic shipping into scope.
• A programme to systematically reduce the tax burden on businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), ahead of the next general election.
• Continued engagement with businesses on the unintended consequences of the ERA, particularly around guaranteed hours in the hospitality sector.

The bottom line: Suffolk's business community used a rare direct audience with the Leader of the Opposition to press its case on the issues that matter most locally — from the A14 to farm taxes — and says it will continue lobbying for pro-business policies across all political parties.

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