The UK Government’s newly published Infrastructure Strategy outlines £70 billion of planned investment across various sectors, including transport, housing, clean energy, and public services. East Midlands Chamber has responded with cautious optimism, calling for clarity, fairness, and execution that supports all parts of the region.
For the East Midlands, key projects identified include funding for the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) to support initiatives in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, such as the Trent Arc programme, the Chesterfield-Staveley Regeneration Route, and road upgrades along the A614/A6097. Additional investments target Leicester Royal Infirmary, the Derby and Ilkeston flood defence schemes, and nuclear energy development at West Burton through the STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) programme.
While these allocations are welcomed, the Chamber has flagged concerns about uneven regional support, particularly the need for Leicestershire to receive proportional investment. Businesses also remain wary of the potential financial burden, particularly as they already face elevated National Insurance contributions and minimum wage increases. With the Autumn Budget on the horizon, the business community is urging the government to ensure infrastructure funding does not translate into higher taxes or costs for employers. The call is clear: implementation must be regionally balanced, transparent, and business-sensitive.
