Nottinghamshire

Richard Blackmore from The East Midlands Chamber

Unchanged 5.5% East Midlands unemployment means skills reform must step up

After the latest estimated data showed unemployment in the region has remained at 5.5%, East Midlands Chamber has renewed its call for skills investment, to better match candidates with roles. The latest estimated figure from the Office for National Statistics for over 16s in the East Midlands covers the period between February and April 2026. East Midlands Chamber Director of Policy and Insight Richard Blackmore said: “Less than half of East Midlands businesses have attempted to recruit and of those […]

18 June 2026 9

Derby

Inflation holding at 2.8% will help reassure business

The East Midlands Chamber has said inflation holding at 2.8% will reduce anxiety for firms, amid what has been a challenging trading climate. The latest estimated figure from the Office for National Statistics covers the 12 months to May 2026. East Midlands Chamber Director of Policy and Insight Richard Blackmore said: “While still above the Bank of England’s 2% target, firms will welcome inflation having held steady, when it was widely expected to increase. For those looking to borrow, there […]

17 June 2026 11

Derby

Falling sales and confidence, rising price pressure – new East Midlands research reveals tough trading

Respondents of East Midlands Chamber’s second Quarterly Economic Survey of 2026 have reported sharp drops in sales and orders, both in the UK and overseas; reduced expectation of an increase in profitability or turnover across the next 12 months and there has been a slight increase, to five out ten, in those considering price increases. On recruitment, the majority, six out of ten, are still struggling to find suitable staff but the figure was below Q1 of 2026, at seven […]

15 June 2026 11

Derby

Impact of Middle East conflict shows in 0.1% shrinking of economy

The East Midlands Chamber has said the war in the Middle East is likely to have influenced the first contraction in GDP in months and renewed its call for greater support to help the region’s businesses during tough trading conditions. The latest estimated figure for April, published by the Office for National Statistics, follows growth of 0.3% in March. East Midlands Chamber Director of Policy and Insight Richard Blackmore said: “While a contraction in GDP was widely anticipated by economists, […]

12 June 2026 10

Derby

Resident doctors to take industrial action from 15th – 19th June

The British Medical Association (BMA) has announced that resident doctors will take industrial action from 7am on Monday 15th June until 7am on Friday 19th June. During the strikes, there may be fewer doctors working than usual, and services will prioritise life saving and urgent care. As with previous periods of industrial action, this may mean longer waits for less urgent care and some disruption to planned appointments. NHS organisations have plans in place to ensure emergency care is prioritised […]

11 June 2026 10

Derby

FIFA World Cup highlights the value of the region’s hospitality sector

The East Midlands Chamber has said the FIFA World Cup is an opportunity to showcase the region’s hospitality and has renewed calls for greater support and a review of business rates to help the sector. Director of Policy and Insight Richard Blackmore said: “Major sporting events bring a feelgood factor that gets people into pubs, restaurants, cafes, shops and hotels but few things are bigger than the FIFA World Cup. “The East Midlands is fortunate to have a superb range […]

10 June 2026 71

Mayor Claire Ward Launches Her Big Transport Conversation in November 2025. Image from EMCCA.

Derby

Opposition parties dub East Mids Mayor chauffeuring as “excessive, shocking, eyewatering and unjustifiable”

The spending of more than £17,000 on chauffeurs by the region’s Labour mayor has been dubbed “excessive, shocking, eyewatering and unjustifiable” by opposition parties. This follows extensive work from the Local Democracy Reporting Service into the amount of money spent by Claire Ward, East Midlands Mayor, on chauffeurs since March 2025. Data published by the East Midlands Combined County Authority shows that in the 13 months from March last year to April 2026, Ms Ward has spent £17,733 on chauffeurs […]

9 June 2026 5

Derby

New Visit East Midlands advisory board to help drive growth in the region’s visitor economy

The East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) has approved the creation of the advisory board to spearhead Visit East Midlands. The new board of independent sector leaders will provide strategic, independent advice to support the region’s ambition to attract more tourists, encourage longer stays, increase visitor spend and grow the visitor economy. This will help deliver the East Midlands Growth Plan ambition of an additional £1 billion in gross value added over the next decade. The board will advise on […]

9 June 2026 17

Scott Knowles (Credit: East Midlands Chamber)

Derby

Millions in transport funding for Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire good for growth says Chamber

The East Midlands Chamber has welcomed £298m of funding approved by the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) Board on 8th June, aimed at modernising transport in the cities and counties of Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Derbyshire. The cash allocation from the Mayoral Transport Fund follows an announcement in March of £470m of approved transport funding. Proposed projects expected to benefit from funding include: New electric buses for Nottingham City Transport and trentbarton New transport hubs in Radcliffe-on-Trent, Cotgrave, East […]

8 June 2026 16

Unchanged 5.5% East Midlands unemployment means skills reform must step up

Inflation holding at 2.8% will help reassure business

Falling sales and confidence, rising price pressure – new East Midlands research reveals tough trading

Impact of Middle East conflict shows in 0.1% shrinking of economy

Resident doctors to take industrial action from 15th – 19th June

FIFA World Cup highlights the value of the region’s hospitality sector

Opposition parties dub East Mids Mayor chauffeuring as “excessive, shocking, eyewatering and unjustifiable”

New Visit East Midlands advisory board to help drive growth in the region’s visitor economy

Millions in transport funding for Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire good for growth says Chamber

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