A new £340,000 grant programme is set to open for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across West Northamptonshire, aimed at supporting innovation and growth.

Funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the Driving Innovation Grant will offer financial support for projects that boost productivity, address global challenges, and help businesses remain competitive. Both capital and revenue funding will be available, with grants ranging from £1,000 to £25,000. Up to 50% of eligible project costs can be covered, with a significant portion of the overall fund prioritised for capital expenditure.

The scheme is designed to align with the four business priorities set out in the West Northamptonshire Economic Growth Strategy. Applications must demonstrate how proposed projects support these strategic goals.

The grant will formally launch on June 25 during an event at the University of Northampton, focusing on the region’s innovation ecosystem. Further information and application details will be published on the West Northamptonshire Council website for those unable to attend.

The initiative complements a broader local support network that includes the South Midlands Growth Hub, Vulcan Works, and the Northamptonshire Business & IP Centre. It also reflects growing efforts to scale up the region’s high-performing industries by fostering long-term resilience and economic contribution.

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.

Despite a modest fall in UK inflation to 3.4% in May, businesses in the East Midlands are still under pressure to raise prices, according to regional insights from East Midlands Chamber.

The Office for National Statistics’ latest inflation estimate remains well above the Bank of England’s 2% target, adding further uncertainty for firms facing cost increases from higher employer National Insurance contributions and the recent rise in the National Living Wage.

Data from the Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey shows that half of local businesses expect to raise prices in the coming months, with inflation ranking as one of their top concerns. This pricing pressure is compounded by continued hesitancy around interest rate cuts, as the Bank of England weighs inflationary trends.

While recent government investment in areas like AI, skills development, and apprenticeships offers some longer-term optimism, the Chamber says any upcoming fiscal decisions must be carefully costed to avoid worsening already difficult trading conditions.

East Midlands Railway (EMR) is expanding its hands-on training for driver apprentices through a growing collaboration with the Great Central Railway (GCR), a heritage rail line operating between Loughborough and Leicester North.

The partnership enables EMR apprentices to train on GCR’s line using Class 153 units, providing practical instruction that simulators cannot replicate. This includes real-time exercises on gradients, power adjustments, and managing speed, all under the supervision of qualified EMR trainers.

Originally, the heritage line was used by EMR to simulate onboard scenarios for guards, including emergency procedures and customer service situations. These controlled, real-time simulations allowed for safe learning without disrupting live rail services.

With the addition of Class 153 units, the training scope has expanded to include systems such as power-operated doors, providing apprentices with experience directly applicable to the EMR fleet. EMR trainers underwent route familiarisation and safety assessments under GCR’s standards to ensure seamless delivery.

Both organisations have conducted safety validations to uphold rigorous training standards. Feedback from apprentices has been strongly positive, highlighting the effectiveness of learning in a realistic setting.

EMR and GCR are now exploring further enhancements to the driving programme, aiming to equip apprentices with the skills required for long-term careers in the rail sector.