Sajid Javid will go down as only the second Chancellor to never deliver a Budget.

Javid was forced to resign after Number 10 asked him to replace all of his advisers. I went into Number 11 a couple of times to meet those advisers and they seemed perfectly pleasant to me. I guess it’s easy to get mixed up with office politics in political office.

The new Chancellor Rishi Sunak is well regarded (even by Javid), and makes all the right noises on his website: “I co-founded a large investment firm, working with companies from Silicon Valley to Bangalore. Then I used that experience to help small and entrepreneurial British companies grow successfully. From working in my mum’s tiny chemist shop to my experience building large businesses, I have seen first-hand how politicians should support free enterprise and innovation to ensure our future prosperity.”

Perhaps his father-in-law can offer some advice. He is Infosys founder N. R. Narayana Murthy.

Among other relevant changes for entrepreneurs, the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy will be led by Alok Sharma MP, with Kwasi Kwarteng MP and Nadhim Zahawi MP staying on in the department. We have private dinners for entrepreneurs in the works with both Kwasi and Nadhim. Drop me a message if you’re interested in finding out more about how you can attend these.

Paper profit
We are starting to distinguish fact from friction(less) trade.

The Government plans to introduce full import controls for goods moving into and out of the EU after the transition period ends on 31 December 2020. All goods entering the UK from the EU will be subject to the same checks and controls as goods coming from the rest of the world – whether or not we reach a trade deal.

You might need an EORI number, or to hire someone to deal with customs. HMRC has extended the deadline for businesses to apply for customs support funding to 31 January 2021. There is still at least £7.5m available.

If you’re looking to export more, the Department for International Trade has just launched a digital tool to help you navigate the rules and restrictions, tax and duty rates, and the necessary exporting documents.

Go west
NatWest has asked us to let you know about their fully-funded Pre-Accelerator, Accelerator, and Fintech Accelerator programmes.

The Pre-Accelerator is for start-ups. The Accelerator is for businesses who are ready to scale their business. While the Fintech Accelerator is sector specific and is run out of its hubs in Bristol, Edinburgh, London and Manchester. The deadlines are fast approaching. Find out more here.

On the case
As my colleague Annabel Denham argued in The Telegraph last year, rail tickets and fares are too inflexible and ill suited to the way an increasing number of us work.

We think The Rail Delivery Group has some good ideas for better ways of regulating the sector, and they are looking for a business person who can speak about this issue.

Perhaps you can’t travel at the time you want because the fares are too high, or you have to book on a specific train to save money but then end up waiting around after a meeting. Or maybe you’ve decided to drive because the train is too busy. Or perhaps you’ve declined a meeting altogether because of the lack of flexibility.

They are looking for people to get in touch as soon as possible, so if it’s an issue you’re passionate about, drop them an email today.