Bosses at New Anglia believe businesses across Norfolk and Suffolk will be supportive of the approach in today's Queen's Speech to back the private sector and reinforce the importance of creating more jobs and new opportunities for the UK economy.

The government has outlined a raft of measures which it hopes will support firms - including a Deregulation Billo to cut red tape - particularly for smaller businesses to ensure the UK can 'compete and succeed in the world'.

The proposals included a new National Insurance Contributions Bill which the government said will cut the cost of employment.

Measures in the bill include reducing employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) from next April and entitling every business and charity to a £2,000 employment allowance.

Some self-employed workers could also be exempt from health and safety law, and there are proposals to remove the power of employment tribunals to make wider recommendations in discrimination cases under the 2010 Equality Act.

New Anglia chairman Andy Wood said: 'Anything that is good for growth is good for New Anglia.

'Businesses here are hungry for opportunity - we have the talent, innovation and growth sectors to help drive economic recovery.'

'Future legislation to reduce the burden of excessive regulation is important as are commitments to infrastructure development to ensure plans for Sizewell C, for example, can become a reality.'

'Business does need to see measures from government implemented as early as possible. Firms across New Anglia are facing economic challenges now. They cannot and should not have to wait for many months for these new measures to become a reality.' he added.