Economics commentator Justin Urquart-Stewart has urged Suffolk’s business leaders to be more confident about the UK’s economic future.

Speaking at the first of a new series of Prestige Dinner events being held by Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, Mr Urquart-Stewart gave a forthright presentation on issues including Brexit, the United States under President Trump, growing inequality and cyber security.

But his main theme was the need for both businesses and the population as a whole to be more confident about what the future holds and to counter some of the current negativity in sectors of the media and elsewhere.

“The UK is doing better than we sometimes see on the news, and businesses and financial institutions need to install confidence and address the areas they can control” he said.

Mr Urquart-Stewart added that more emphasis should to be placed on giving citizens a better understanding of how the business world works, and especially the financial sector, so that they have more control over this aspect of their lives.

“I do think that we need to add lessons in personal finance to the school curriculum,” he said. “Many young people are not able to budget properly or plan their pension needs and retirement objectives because they are confused by the jargon.”

The event, attended by around 170 business leaders, was held at Wherstead Park, near Ipswich. It was sponsored by Norse Commercial, a Suffolk Chamber patron, with goody bags being suppled by St Peter’s Brewery and the East of England Cooperative Society.

John Dugmore, Suffolk Chamber chief executive, said: “We’re delighted that our first ever Prestige Dinner was such a success. Thanks to everyone involved with the event, which provided both information and entertainment in equal measure.

“We aim to host two Suffolk Chamber Prestige Dinners each year, held at especially high quality locations offering guests a unique opportunity to meet the county’s business movers and shakers and listen to the best speakers around.”