Nottinghamshire

Scott Knowles (Credit: East Midlands Chamber)

Interest rate rise to 4% will frustrate firms looking to borrow

The East Midlands Chamber has said the Bank of England’s decision to increase the interest rate by a quarter point to 4% from 3.75% - the first rise in three years – could hinder businesses looking to borrow to invest to grow. Chief Executive Scott Knowles said: “While the Bank of England will have been keen to mitigate the soaring inflation we’re seeing, which now sits far too high at 3.5% and a mile off Government’s 2% target, businesses considering […]

5 November 2026 10

Derbyshire

England’s largest Regional Area Energy Plan paves the way for East Midlands’ greener future

Far-reaching plans designed to create a cleaner, affordable and more sustainable energy future for the East Midlands have reached a major milestone – with work now turning towards how their ambitions can be put into practice. East Midlands Combined County Authority's (EMCCA) Regional Area Energy Plan and Digital Twin - the largest of its kind created in England - brings together eight local area energy plans from across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire into a single shared vision for the region to […]

5 November 2026 15

Derby

757 police officers sacked and barred from policing

757 police officers have been barred from policing this year, the College of Policing said today. The officers from across England and Wales were added to the barred list following breaches of professional standards. The reasons cited for the sackings range from dishonesty and discriminatory behaviour to assault and sexual offences. Additionally, a child sexual offence was cited as a dismissal reason six times, stalking eight times, and rape five times. The list includes officers who retire or resign while […]

3 November 2026 31

Derby

Chamber describes 2026 Budget as ‘underwhelming’ and missing full growth potential

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 can take some comfort that significant further cost increases were not imposed, greater support is needed to unlock growth. “Prioritising AI, backing enterprise and easing some of the burden for […]

28 October 2026 21

Derby

New funding powers for East Midlands Mayor will support jobs and growth across the region

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 create jobs. Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, said: "It was brilliant to be present for the Autumn Budget, the first by our new Chancellor, John Healey and particularly […]

28 October 2026 13

Derby

Inflation surge to 3.5% amplifies need for business-supportive Budget

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. The rise in inflation to 3.5% for the 12 months to September, as published by the Office for National Statistics, is up from 3.1% in the 12 months to August […]

21 October 2026 13

Derby

Midlands Connect enters new chapter

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 needed to support regional growth. This was sponsored by the Department for Transport (DfT). As devolution and Local Government Reorganisation reshape the political landscape, Midlands Connect is evolving alongside that […]

20 October 2026 8

Derby

Visit East Midlands launches with ambition to grow region’s visitor economy by £1bn

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 authorities, destination organisations and businesses to give the region a stronger voice, attract new audiences and help tourism and hospitality businesses grow. The partnership and its new website were officially […]

14 October 2026 16

Richard Blackmore from The East Midlands Chamber

Derby

Chamber submits five Budget asks to unlock growth in the East Midlands

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 document - The Framework for Growth - and follow extensive engagement with firms across the East Midlands through research, surveys, roundtables and direct consultation. The five Autumn Budget asks outlined […]

14 October 2026 14

Interest rate rise to 4% will frustrate firms looking to borrow

England’s largest Regional Area Energy Plan paves the way for East Midlands’ greener future

757 police officers sacked and barred from policing

Chamber describes 2026 Budget as ‘underwhelming’ and missing full growth potential

New funding powers for East Midlands Mayor will support jobs and growth across the region

Inflation surge to 3.5% amplifies need for business-supportive Budget

Midlands Connect enters new chapter

Visit East Midlands launches with ambition to grow region’s visitor economy by £1bn

Chamber submits five Budget asks to unlock growth in the East Midlands

103.5 & 96.8 FM

LOVE MUSIC

LOVE EREWASH