New ‘Growth Delivery Test’ could help turn Norfolk business ambition into action
Norfolk Chambers is backing calls from the British Chambers of Commerce for policymakers to introduce a new ‘Growth Delivery Test’ to ensure major economic decisions help businesses move from ambition to action.
A major new *report from the British Chambers of Commerce, co-authored by BCC President Andy Haldane, argues that the UK has the potential, innovation, and business ambition needed to grow, but too many firms are being held back by rising costs, skills shortages, regulatory pressure, and economic uncertainty.
The report identifies five practical levers for growth:
1. Better access to skills
2. Greater adoption of technology and AI
3. Simpler processes and lower costs to trade globally
4. Easier access to finance
5. Greater business dynamism, including simpler processes to restructure, scale or exit
The findings come at a time when businesses across Norfolk continue to navigate a challenging operating environment, with many firms facing increased employment costs, recruitment pressures, subdued investment confidence and uncertainty around future policy decisions.
Based on research from the BCC Insights Unit, 875 firms were asked what would directly support growth in their business. The results showed:
• 67% said better access to skills
• 60% said increased use of AI
• 56% said simpler processes and lower costs to trade globally
• 46% said easier access to finance
• 35% said simpler processes to restructure, list or exit
The report argues that the UK’s growth problem is not a lack of potential, but a failure to convert that potential into action. It states that the UK already has many of the ingredients needed for growth, including resilient firms, strong private sector balance sheets, high levels of innovation, deep pools of capital and a globally respected business brand.
However, it warns that many businesses have become caught in a ‘risk-aversion cycle’, where investment, recruitment, training, innovation and expansion are delayed because the risks of growth feel greater than the rewards.
For Norfolk, the message is particularly relevant. The county is home to thousands of established, ambitious businesses across sectors including manufacturing, tourism, agriculture, professional services, digital, logistics, construction and energy.
Many of these firms are not lacking ideas or ambition. Instead, they need the right conditions to invest in people, adopt new technology, access new markets and take the next step in their growth journey.
The report describes this group as the ‘movable middle’, established, viable firms with customers, products and growth potential, but not always the confidence, capability or incentive to act.
Norfolk Chambers believes this is where local business support, trusted networks and practical policy delivery can make the biggest difference.
Nova Fairbank, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chambers of Commerce, said: “Norfolk businesses are ambitious, resilient and full of potential, but ambition alone does not create growth. Growth happens when a business owner feels confident enough to make a decision; to invest, hire, train, adopt new technology, enter a new market or scale their operations.
“What this report makes clear is that policymakers must look beyond strategies and announcements and focus on whether their decisions genuinely change business behaviour.
“For many organisations in Norfolk, the barriers to growth are practical. They need access to the right skills, support to adopt AI and technology, simpler routes into export markets, better access to finance, and an operating environment that rewards productive risk-taking.
“These are not abstract challenges. They are the same key issues we hear directly from our network, and they were among the main themes raised by members at our most recent Big Debate event.
“Before any major economic policy is announced, the government should ask whether it will encourage businesses to do something they would not otherwise have done. That is the measure that matters. Not whether a strategy has been published, but whether a business has the confidence to act.
“Our role is to connect national policy with local business reality. We hear directly from Norfolk firms every day about the pressures they face, but also about the opportunities they see. With the right support and a more stable policy environment, Norfolk businesses can play a major role in driving growth, creating jobs, and strengthening the regional economy.”
Norfolk Chambers will continue to work with the British Chambers of Commerce and the wider Chamber Network to ensure the voice of Norfolk businesses is heard by policymakers locally, regionally and nationally.