It's 2024 and Essex, a corner of the world that is and will be forever England, is a very different place. The once thriving local economy, one of the key regional drivers which helped drag the UK out of recession, is moribund. Shutters are down in the high streets, there are derelict trading estates and ‘To Let' signs are all over the business parks.

Out-commuting levels are above 80% and local rail services and road infrastructure are creaking under the strain, despite huge government investment since 2014 in key arteries like the A12.