After many months in limbo, Suffolk and north Essex businesses are now impatient for the "change" promised on Labour's election bus.
Following the party's landslide victory on July 4, businesses are feeling much pent-up frustration - and want action across a range of issues which are affecting them.
Construction and logistics bosses in the region are among those calling on the new government to unclog the system so that homes can be built and goods transported with ease.
Energy bosses are keen to catch up with the continent in getting on-shore projects such as solar and wind past planners.
Meanwhile, Suffolk Chamber is calling for spades in the ground on long-promised railway works to help get the UK moving again.
They are heartened by new chancellor Rachel Reeves' speech on Monday, which laid out her plans to "rebuild" Britain with an overhaul of the planning system and the lifting of an effective ban on onshore wind projects. But they also want to see swift action on the promises made.
Rachel Reeves (Image: Charlotte Bond)
At freight forwarder and haulier Waller Transport Services on the edge of Ipswich, impatience is wearing thin at the immense post-Brexit trade barriers they face as they send laden lorries through Dover-Calais.
"It's probably the hardest right now it's ever been," says sales director Paul Rolfe. "So many (logistics) companies at the moment are going to the wall. We hear of it nearly weekly."
Paul Rolfe (Image: Waller Transport Services) Drivers must present three or more pieces of documentation - all of which must match up to avoid long hold-ups.
Items as diverse as a tin of tuna or whey protein requires a vet sign-off. It's all adding up to long delays.
Just this week, Waller was involved in sending fresh strawberries from Kent to Germany.
"They are literally picked on a Sunday afternoon and they are off to Germany Sunday evening," says Paul. But to achieve that, the company has to assemble three different pieces of matching paperwork from three different government bodies.
Strawberries are subject to fraud inspection - which means that the temperature-controlled trailers are opened up. The fraud team only operates on week days - so the checks can only begin on a Monday morning.
Short shelf-life soft fruits can be delayed for an indefinite period at port. "Our customer is saying this is ridiculous," he says. "They have said this is not good enough - we might have to look for an alternative supplier."
Other foodstuffs entering the EU also face a battery of checks. It's these that are putting off many of the eastern European drivers who take Waller's loads to their destination, explains Paul. It's a "huge frustration".
The eastern Europeans who drive the trucks are being lured to Germany where there is a driver shortage and they can earn much more money for less hassle, he says. "It's having a really detrimental effect on UK trade because drivers don't want to come here now."
The family-owned company started by Adam Waller in 1966 is now in its second generation. The founder's son-in-law, Darryn Flynn, runs the company and his wife, Laura, is financial director.
“Since Brexit, there have been significant complications when it comes to trading with other countries. It has become much harder for businesses of all sizes to make a profit, simply because the customs checks have become overly complicated and difficult to manage," explains Darryn.
Darryn Flynn (Image: Waller Transport Services) "Now that Sir Keir has appointed his new cabinet, we want to see the new Department for Business and Trade listen to and understand the challenges we facing.
“Simplifying the red tape that surrounds transport logistics could be crucial to improving our economy – but that can only happen if the new cabinet are prepared to make the necessary changes.”
Labour is promising to ease the logjam. Paul admits he is sceptical - and wants to see words translated into tangible results.
"There's an air of positivity around them - they are talking about change. Let's see them deliver change.
"I'm not saying reverse Brexit - I'm saying look at the red tape."
Simon Girling, director of SEH French Construction in Ipswich, and Steven Rose, owner of Rose Builders in Manningtree, are desperate to see comprehensive planning reform to help get projects off the drawing board.
Simon Girling, SEH French (Image: Pagepix) They welcome Rachel Reeves' commitment to 300 more planning officers, reform of the National Policy Framework, an infrastructure commitment and a pledge to build one and a half million homes over the next five years.
"It certainly sounds very promising for the future," says Simon.
"Being a cynic, we have heard a lot of this before though and there will always be challenges and legal obstacles which will delay and hinder the good intentions.
"Planning reform is key to opening up opportunity and growth. Reform is not a strong enough word - it needs obliterating and starting again but very quickly."
The commitments made are "excellent", says Steven, but more planners and more building inspectors are desperately needed.
Steven Rose (Image: Rose Builders) "The aspiration is really good - I just hope she can make it happen and drive through the change at local authority and county level and that the aspiration and soundbites from government do actually get delivered locally.
"She needs to make sure there are more resources and funding for people at local authority and county level to deal with both the planning and engineering and statutory consultees.
"Unless they get more resources it won't be delivered because it will just get jammed up in local treacle."
Paul Simon, head of public affairs at Suffolk Chamber, also likes what he heard from the new chancellor in her first speech - including plans to boost housing and infrastructure investment.
Paul Simon of Suffolk Chamber (Image: Nicky West) The chamber is already arranging a meeting with new transport secretary Louise Haigh to push for early approval of rail improvements at Ely and Haughley to help maximise rail freight to and from Suffolk ports.
"If we get the go-ahead soon businesses will know that the government really gets it and is deadly serious in fixing the foundations of our under-performing economy," he says.
The county has been "hobbled for far too long by an out-of-date rail, road and connectivity infrastructure with improvements always tantalisingly just out-of-reach or subject to yet another review", he says.
"The impact of this under-investment has lessened business effectiveness and confidence, not only in Suffolk, but far beyond as well."
Energy chiefs have also welcomed the incoming government's commitments to its sector.
Keith Anderson - chief executive of ScottishPower which is involved in building huge wind farms in the southern North Sea - welcomes the chancellor's "clear sense of urgency and direction".
“Prioritising clean energy infrastructure and building at speed and at scale will unleash strong economic growth across the country," he says.
"If the UK can halve the time it takes to get renewables, electricity grid and storage projects through the planning system, we’ll look to double our investment over the coming years.”
East of England Energy Group (EEEGR) chairman Kevin Keable welcomes the lifting of the de facto ban on onshore wind.
Kevin Keable, EEEGR chair (Image: Denise Bradley)
“I’ve spent the last week touring France watching many hundreds of onshore wind turbines generating power across the land, and I felt envious of the ingenuity and forward thinking of the French capitalising on the nation’s natural resources to create clean homegrown energy," he says.
“Now onshore wind developments are open for business in the UK at last to provide UK homes with low-cost clean electricity while strengthening our national energy security and tackling climate change.
"EEEGR’s partner RenewableUK states that the efficiency and power of modern turbines means doubling the UK’s onshore wind capacity by 2030 won’t mean doubling the number of turbines.
"Its research shows that delivering 30 gigawatts of onshore wind by the end of the decade would boost the UK economy by £45 billion and create 27,000 jobs."
He also wants to see the logjam cleared for energy infrastructure projects which will be needed to meet soaring electricity demand as consumers and businesses switches from carbon to clean energy.
These need to be signed off quickly - but with "robust" local consultation to bring economic benefits to communities, and environmental and ecological measures to protect wildlife, he says.
Colin Low, managing director of wealth managers Kingsfleet of Ipswich, says it won't be until the autumn budget that householders and businesses can get a clear view of what the government is planning in terms of tax and spending.
Colin Low (Image: Kingsfleet)
"Labour have committed to not increasing Income Tax, VAT or National Insurance but most expect there to be changes to other forms of taxation.
"There is particular concern regarding the possibility of changes to be made to Pension Tax Relief and Inheritance Tax," he says.
"It would be prudent to have already engaged Legal and Financial advisers in case actions may need to be taken rapidly."
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