John Healey, who was appointed chancellor in July by prime minister Andy Burnham, will deliver his first budget statement on October 28.

Norfolk firms say it presents the Labour government with an opportunity to finally back businesses as promised in its 2024 election manifesto, and undo some of the damage inflicted on business in its previous budgets.

John Healey was appointed chancellor by Andy Burnham in July, replacing Rachel Reeves (Image: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire)

High on their budget wish list is investment in East Anglia’s road and rail infrastructure, including the further dualling of the A47, Acle Straight and Tilney to East Winch, and the Ely-Haughley rail junctions.

Firms are also urging the chancellor to avoid any further increases to employment tax, after previous hikes - including to employers’ national insurance - have forced businesses to make redundancies, cut hours and scale back hiring.

The Norfolk Chambers of Commerce is calling for a cut to employer national insurance contributions (ENICs) for under-25s, which it says would reduce the cost and risk of employing young people, with one million 16 to 24-year-olds in the UK currently not in education, employment or training (NEET).

UK unemployment rate to July 2026 (Image: PA Wire)

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) wants small firms to be lifted out of paying business rates altogether by increasing the relief threshold to £25,000.

In April this year, a revaluation of the rateable value of properties used to calculate business rates bills, combined with the end of the 40pc Covid-era relief for the hospitality sector, saw bills for some pubs, restaurants and hotels rise by thousands of pounds a year.

The changes, first revealed by the EDP in the aftermath of last November’s budget, were not highlighted in the former chancellor Rachel Reeves’ announcement.

The former chancellor Rachel........

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