Cities in the East Midlands are suffering higher rates of inflation and tighter squeezes on household finances than those in the South, as the cost of living crisis deepens inequalities across the country. New research from Centre for Cities shows that inflation has already reached double figures in urban areas in the East Midlands, where rates are rising significantly faster than in the South. This is having a disproportionate impact on household finances. Latest estimates show inflation has made workers in the East Midlands £117 a month poorer on average; while workers in the South have lost around £103 a month – adding up to a difference of £168 a year. The concerning findings are published in Centre for Cities’ new report, entitled Out of Pocket: The places at the sharp end of the cost of living crisis, which for the first time compares the impact the crisis is having among cities and towns across England and Wales. Leicester is the hardest hit in the East Midlands, with an inflation rate of 10.8 per cent, followed by Mansfield at 10.6 per cent and Nottingham and Derby at 10.5 per cent each. Meanwhile, London and Cambridge currently face an annual inflation rate of 8.8 per cent each – meaning Leicester’s rate is around 23 per cent higher than in these southern cities. In addition to the Midlands, cities in the North and Wales are also enduring higher inflation rates than in the South. Much of this disparity can be attributed to the fact that the North, Midlands and Wales have higher proportions of poorly-insulated housing and more reliance on cars, which leaves these areas exceptionally vulnerable to increasing fuel prices. Research shows that eight out of the 10 urban areas with the highest energy costs just before the crisis hit were located in the North, Midlands, and Wales, with these cities already paying hundreds of pounds more than urban areas in the South. For example, in Derby, annual energy bills in 2021 were £1,121 on average. This is significantly more than southern cities, such as Milton Keynes, where 50 per cent of homes have high energy efficiency and yearly bills were £889 on average. These differences will continue to grow as prices increase. The Government recently provided £15bn to help ease the cost of living crisis but these figures show more needs to be done to support vulnerable households. In its report Centre for Cities calls on ministers to:

• Increase benefits to bring them in line with inflation;
• Reintroduce the £20 uplift for Universal Credit for the 5.9 million people currently on benefits;
• Provide those living in homes below EPC band C with a one-off payment to help them face soaring energy bills.

Centre for Cities Chief Executive Andrew Carter said: “The entire country has been impacted by the cost of living crisis but our research clearly shows some areas are being hit much harder than others. Worryingly, the North, Midlands, and Wales are struggling with higher rates of inflation that are further squeezing finances and leaving their residents hundreds of pounds worse off. “These disparities prove that levelling up our cities to tackle spatial inequalities and futureproof the economy is more important than ever. “In the short-term it is imperative that those most vulnerable are given the support they need to get through this crisis. Even while Westminster’s political situation is uncertain, ministers must act quickly to protect the areas most impacted and ensure they don’t fall even further behind.”

Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR, discusses awards events and no-shows and their impact on a business’s reputation. The East Midlands Bricks Awards are on the horizon. If you have entered, you might want to read on… I was at a business breakfast recently in Nottingham, with the great and good of this fair city before they all headed off to Trent Bridge and THAT game! Not me sadly, I was on five deadlines! It was an event to herald the “Top 200” businesses in the area and had been trailed across social media for the past few weeks by the local press and by one of the sponsors who happens to be a client of mine. With the top 180 already revealed, the stage was set to unveil the top 20, complete with trophies and a platform to speak on in front of the assembled guests, media makers, movers and shakers. I’ll let you decide which of them I am. Wherever you place in that top 20, this is a great PR opportunity if you leverage it. Or…if you even bother to show up! If you don’t…well…let’s just say you’ll have a tough innings ahead of you. The winner showed up. Yep, the BIGGEST name in the city (not you Robin), the most iconic global brand – Boots. Their spokesperson was fantastic when he was interviewed, proud, humble, a local lad who had gone to university in Nottingham, was excited to be a part of the event and full of praise for all of the Top 200. However, the fastest climber and the highest new entry both failed to show. How did that make them look? To the assembled guests, some of whom might be potential customers, suppliers or partners? To the media who are keen to learn of bright young things making their mark? Not great! Now I know we all get busy and life gets in the way. I know that to some businesses local recognition isn’t that crucial because they don’t sell to consumers or they are more national in outlook. Sure, but your staff are local aren’t they? Wouldn’t they be proud? Wouldn’t more people want to join you if they can see how awesome you are and in what high regard the press holds you? If a multinational GIANT such as Boots can see the value in it, maybe there’s something in this! The chap from Boots even found an opportunity to hint at a new range coming out. I could see the reporters scribbling away. All that took was an hour of his time before the working day even began. He got a lovely cooked breakfast as part of it too! Win/Win. So, with the Bricks looming large on the horizon, consider how you might show up at your next opportunity even if you “KNOW WE WON’T WIN.” Howzat for an idea?   A former business journalist, Greg Simpson is the author of The Small Business Guide to PR and has been recognised as one of the UK’s top 5 PR consultants, having set up Press for Attention PR in 2008. He has worked for FTSE 100 firms, charities and start-ups and conducted press conferences with Sir Richard Branson and James Caan. His background ensures a deep understanding of every facet of a successful PR campaign – from a journalist’s, client’s, and consultant’s perspective.

As the nomination deadline (19 August) draws nearer for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022, it’s time to ensure you have made your submissions for the annual celebration of the property and construction industry. Scheduled to take place on Thursday 15 September, the Bricks shine a light on the outstanding work of those shaping the landscape of our region, recognising development projects and people in commercial and public building across the East Midlands – from offices, industrial and residential, through to community projects such as leisure schemes and schools. We also highlight the work of architects, agencies and those behind large schemes. The glittering awards ceremony revealing winners, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, will also offer the perfect chance to forge new contacts with property and construction professionals from across the region. Nominations for the awards are open until Friday 19 August. To submit a business or development for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022, please click on a category link below or visit this page. Thanks to our sponsors:                                      

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