A spokesperson for the East Midlands Chamber has given a reaction to the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget, highlighting the need for greater support to unlock growth. East Midlands Chamber Chief Executive Scott Knowles said: “Keeping a fairly steady ship seemed to be the overarching theme of this Budget but while business [...]

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The Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, has welcomed the 2026 Autumn Budget. Chancellor John Healey has set out plans to give mayors more control over locally raised money, alongside major investment into Derby’s aerospace industry. These changes will help Mayor Claire invest in local priorities, support businesses, and [...]

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Derby City Council has said it is looking closely “with interest” at launching a city-wide balaclava ban. But the Labour-run authority has been urged to start a ban as soon as possible and follow Nottingham’s lead – with the use of face coverings increasing in Derby. Nottingham leaders implemented new [...]

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The East Midlands Chamber has said inflation having risen more than anticipated by economists to 3.5% means the Autumn Budget must ‘place business front and centre and create the conditions needed for growth’ as it called on the Chancellor to action the Five Asks outlined in its 2026 Budget Submission. [...]

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The region’s unemployment level has fallen to 4.7% but is still too high, East Midlands Chamber has said as it urged the Chancellor to ensure the Budget on 28th October brings down costs for employers and prioritises skills investment. The Chamber’s recently published 2026 Budget submission calls for the Chancellor [...]

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Midlands Connect will move to a new mayoral and leader-led model from April 2027, giving the region greater collective ownership of its strategic transport agenda. For more than a decade, Midlands Connect has brought together mayors, leaders and partners from across the Midlands to develop and champion the transport connections [...]

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A new regional partnership has been launched with the ambition of growing the East Midlands visitor economy by an additional £1 billion by 2035 – attracting more visitors, encouraging longer stays and increasing spending across the region. Visit East Midlands brings together the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), local [...]

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Ahead of the 2026 Autumn Budget on 28th October, the East Midlands Chamber has called on the Chancellor to prioritise five measures it says, if announced, would ensure the best conditions are in place for business and growth in the region. The five points are based on the Chamber’s landmark [...]

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Nearly 4% fewer businesses in the region are investing in decarbonisation, 6% fewer are accessing support, the number of firms deriving sales from green goods and services (GGSs) has fallen 9% but more are engaging in nature-based solutions. Findings from 2026 joint research published by East Midlands Chamber and the [...]

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More than £64 million is being invested in skills and employment programmes this year – helping people across the East Midlands gain qualifications, develop new skills and move into work or new careers. The investment, led by the Mayor of the East Midlands through the East Midlands Combined County Authority [...]

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East Midlands Chamber has renewed its call for the Autumn Budget to ease pressure on business and incentivise investment, after revised forecasts from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) predicted 1.1% UK growth in 2026 and 1% in 2027. The OECD figure for 2026 has been revised upwards [...]

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New Start & Sustain programme will actively engage at least 2,000 aspiring entrepreneurs and start-up businesses each year across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. Thousands of people across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire who want to start their own business will be able to access practical support to help turn their ideas [...]

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Sales and orders are up, both within the UK and overseas; expectations of increased profitability and turnover are up, and more businesses intend to grow their workforce. Findings from East Midlands Chamber’s Q3 Quarterly Economic Survey of 2026 paint an encouraging picture but the Autumn Budget must support business growth, [...]

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Reliable public transport, well-maintained roads and better-connected communities are among the top priorities identified by residents across the East Midlands in one of the region’s biggest transport consultations. More than 36,000 people shared their views for the future of transport across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, and Nottinghamshire through the Mayor’s Big [...]

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For businesses looking to borrow to invest and grow, East Midlands Chamber has said the Bank of England’s decision to keep the interest rate unchanged at 3.75% will maintain a sense of stability but add frustration for those hoping for an improved rate. East Midlands Chamber Director of External Affairs [...]

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Employers across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire are being invited to become a part of Generation East Midlands, a new regional campaign calling on businesses to create more opportunities for young people to gain meaningful experience of the workplace. Championed by the Mayor of the East MIdlands, Claire Ward, the [...]

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The Chancellor must ensure the Autumn Budget on 28th October reduces the cost burden on business, East Midlands Chamber has said, after inflation rose for the second month in a row to 3.1% The latest estimated inflation figure from the Office for National Statistics for the 12 months to August [...]

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Unemployment in the East Midlands has fallen to 4.9% but is still too high, East Midlands Chamber has said, as it renewed its call for reduced cost pressure on business and skills investment to be prioritised in the Autumn Budget. The estimated figure from the Office for National Statistics for [...]

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The Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, has been elected by her fellow mayors to chair the UK Mayors Network – giving her a national leadership role as Government devolves more power to regions. The UK Mayors Network is the sector body for strategic authorities. It brings together the [...]

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The East Midlands Chamber has said the Autumn Budget on 28th October needs to ease pressure on business, despite monthly GDP data from the Office for National Statistics showing unexpected growth to 0.4% in July, from 0.3% in June. East Midlands Chamber Director of External Affairs Richard Blackmore said: “Business [...]

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