East Midlands Chamber Archives - Page 2 of 3

EU ‘reset’ talks should bring greater clarity over export requirements says Chamber

Marking the 10-year anniversary of the 2016 UK-EU referendum, East Midlands Chamber has renewed its call for anticipated UK Government ‘reset’ talks with the bloc to prioritise improving trade terms to ease the burden on exporters. East Midlands Chamber Head of International Trade Lucy Granger said: “Exporters need to be able to trade with EU countries easily, free of any barriers that hinder trade or create a headache, like unnecessary costs or complex requirements to adhere to. While the expected […]

23 June 2026 11

Richard Blackmore from The East Midlands Chamber

Derby

No interest rate cut from 3.75% means no relief yet for businesses looking to borrow

The Bank of England’s announcement to hold the interest rate at 3.75% could add to the frustration of firms looking to invest to grow by borrowing, the East Midlands Chamber has said. East Midlands Chamber Director of Policy and Insight Richard Blackmore said: “With inflation having remained static at 2.8% in the latest data published this week, it was generally expected the Bank of England would not announce any cut in the interest rate just yet. For businesses looking to […]

18 June 2026 6

Derby

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

News

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 17

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 9

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 24

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 13

East Midlands Chamber

EU ‘reset’ talks should bring greater clarity over export requirements says Chamber

No interest rate cut from 3.75% means no relief yet for businesses looking to borrow

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

Inflation holding at 2.8% will help reassure business

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

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