East Midlands Chamber Archives

Richard Blackmore from The East Midlands Chamber

Paused fuel duty hike ‘a step forward’ but energy cost support for business cannot wait

The East Midlands Chamber has cautiously welcomed Government’s announcement to shelve plans to increase fuel duty from September but called for greater action to help business navigating high costs. East Midlands Chamber Director of Policy and Insight Richard Blackmore said: “Holding off on the long-trailed 5p fuel duty increase for the rest of the year is a step forward and will be welcome news to motorists - for a bit. Not unlike the temporary sticking plaster approach we saw with […]

20 May 2026 15

Scott Knowles (Credit: East Midlands Chamber)

News

Economy grows but soaring costs mean business needs support

The East Midlands Chamber has warned above expected 0.3% growth in GDP is ‘no sign of improving trading conditions’ as it renewed its call for greater support for business amid high business rates, rising fuel costs and inflation. The estimated figure for March, published by the Office for National Statistics, is higher than was widely anticipated by economists, while the first three months of the year showed growth of 0.6%. East Midlands Chamber Chief Executive Scott Knowles said: “A growing […]

14 May 2026 4

Derbyshire

Chamber calls for greater business support following Prime Minister’s speech

The East Midlands Chamber has welcomed parts of the Prime Minister’s 11th May speech, which outlined plans to prioritise apprenticeships and build a stronger EU relationship, but said businesses need more support to overcome tough trading conditions. East Midlands Chamber Director of Policy and Insight Richard Blackmore said: “Prioritising apprenticeships will help in part address the skills gap and developing a closer relationship with the EU is the right approach when it comes to trade as many of our members […]

11 May 2026 6

Derbyshire

Coach staff and managers to address workplace mental health, Chamber urges, as national awareness week starts

Knowing what to spot, coaching people and managers to give mental health first aid and reviewing internal processes are among actions East Midlands Chamber recommends for firms in the region as Mental Health Awareness Week begins. Running from 11th to 17th May, the annual national awareness week aims to encourage the UK to come together to look at both their own mental health and that of those around them, with 2026 centred on the theme of ‘action’. East Midlands Chamber […]

8 May 2026 22

News

A 20% drop in exports to the Middle East shows clear result of conflict on trade

The East Midlands Chamber has said that a cut of one fifth in export documents issued by chambers of commerce across the UK to firms exporting to Middle East and Arab League countries, as reported in newly published national data, underlines the challenge the Iran War has caused for international trade to countries in the region. Research conducted by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) compared the number of Certificates of Origin – key customs documents issued to exporters at […]

29 April 2026 11

News

Inflation holds at 3% but businesses need support as they brace for possible future rises

East Midlands Chamber is urging policymakers to give greater support to the region’s firms amid fears that inflation, unchanged at 3%, could rise later this year due to the conflict in the Middle East. The latest estimated figure from the Office for National Statistics covers the 12 months to February and remains above the Bank of England’s 2% target. East Midlands Chamber Director of Policy and Insight Richard Blackmore said: “A rise in inflation later in 2026 is not something […]

25 March 2026 9

News

5.6% East Midlands unemployment means greater support needed says Chamber

The East Midlands Chamber has renewed calls for skills investment to be prioritised by policymakers, as outlined in its Framework for Growth, after latest unemployment data revealed the region remains at 5.6%, above the overall UK level at 5.2%. The latest estimated figures from the Office for National Statistics for over 16s in the East Midlands cover the period between November and January 2026. The Chamber’s Framework for Growth sets out specific asks of policymakers aimed at helping the East […]

19 March 2026 13

News

Exporters need more support says Chamber as report reveals gap

East Midlands Chamber has called for greater support for the region’s exporters after not one respondent in national research said they got ‘comprehensive support’ from Government over trade policy changes. The research, carried out by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) in partnership with GS1 UK surveyed hundreds of firms. Only 13% of businesses surveyed said they received sufficient support, 32% felt they did not have much support and 31% said there was none. The findings form part of a […]

13 March 2026 18

Derbyshire

Chamber backs calls to shelve proposed charges on low value imports

Government proposals for import costs to be applied on low value and individual items would disproportionately impact SMEs and should be rethought, East Midlands Chamber has said, in response to findings from British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) research. Charges, for proposed implementation in 2029, would result from removal of the UK’s tariff exemption on low value imports. The EU has said it may follow the US which removed its ‘de minimis’ exemption on import costs in 2025. The exemption allows […]

9 March 2026 37

East Midlands Chamber

Paused fuel duty hike ‘a step forward’ but energy cost support for business cannot wait

Economy grows but soaring costs mean business needs support

Chamber calls for greater business support following Prime Minister’s speech

Coach staff and managers to address workplace mental health, Chamber urges, as national awareness week starts

A 20% drop in exports to the Middle East shows clear result of conflict on trade

Inflation holds at 3% but businesses need support as they brace for possible future rises

5.6% East Midlands unemployment means greater support needed says Chamber

Exporters need more support says Chamber as report reveals gap

Chamber backs calls to shelve proposed charges on low value imports

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