The East Midlands’ unemployment rate remains the second-lowest in the country, after it was recorded at 2.7% for the period between February and April 2022. This came in at 1.1% below the national average of 3.8%, with only Northern Ireland (2.6%) lower, according to the Office for National Statistics’ latest regional labour market figures. However, the East Midlands’ economic inactivity rate – which measures the proportion of 16 to 64-year-olds who have exited the labour market for reasons such as retirement, caring duties, long-term ill health or studying – climbed by three-tenths of a percentage point to 22.2%, which is well above the UK average of 21.3%. The latest data follows confirmation the UK’s GDP shrunk by 0.3% in April. East Midlands Chamber Chief Executive Scott Knowles said: “While on the face of it a low unemployment rate is a positive for the region’s labour force, this trend shows there is a major constrain on businesses when it comes to finding the staff they need to fill key jobs. “The ONS figures reflect what we are finding in the East Midlands, where two-thirds (66%) of businesses attempted to recruit new employees in the second quarter of the year but 82% of these struggled to find people, according to our latest Quarterly Economic Survey. “Four in 10 businesses told us they are now at full capacity, which strongly suggests they need staff to meet high demand. From our conversations with members, industries such as manufacturing – which are important drivers of economic output – are struggling the most due to early retirement among workers and a lack of skilled workers to replace them. “When combined with inflationary pressures that are now hitting cashflow and investment intentions, this perhaps explains why GDP has now dropped as ultimately businesses are constricted in their ability to make the productivity gains that will drive the economic recovery. “We need to find ways of bringing people back into our labour market. Flexible working practices, rapid retraining opportunities and a focus on workplace health can support many economically inactive people to return to the workplace. “But for some roles where there is clear evidence of a national skills shortage, firms need access to people at all skill levels from outside the UK. As well as issuing temporary and seasonal visas, the Government needs to urgently review the shortage occupation list.”

Sub-national Transport Body Midlands Connect is today presenting its 20-year vision for the A46 corridor, with improvement plans predicted to boost the economy by £7.1 billion over the next 60 years. The A46 corridor, a major cross-country route, spans 155 miles from Gloucestershire to Lincolnshire. Home to a variety of sectors including automotive, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, textiles and agriculture, it has an economic output of £115 billion a year. Future projections along the corridor have shown that significant growth is expected over the next 20 years, with 600,000 new residents, 150,000 new jobs and 250,000 new homes expected by 2041. Midlands Connect’s 20-year vision for the A46 aims to future proof the route and if delivered in full, could boost the national economy by an additional £7.1 billion over 60 years. It will also bring 150,000 new jobs to the region. Suggested interventions include improving junctions, roundabouts and reducing congestion at pinch points along the route. The vision was presented today at the transport body’s A46 Conference, taking place at Coventry University Technology Park. The conference saw technical experts and representatives from Local and National Government delivering a number of keynote speeches and panels on improving the corridor and maximising productivity. The transport body is now seeking Government support to fund the improvements needed as new residents, homes and jobs are projected along the corridor over the next 20 years. Midlands Connect CEO Maria Machancoses said: “Today’s Conference highlighted the urgent need for a long-term, national, and holistic approach into improving the A46 Corridor. I was delighted to see so many leading representatives from local government, industry, trade bodies and local organisations. “As our speakers attested to today, it is crucial that this road continues to prosper and grow, and to remain a key place of physical and digital connectivity for all. This is truly a levelling up programme and we will continue to work the National Highways and the Department for Transport to make it a reality.” Sir John Peace, chairman of Midlands Connect, who gave the closing remarks, added: “There is no doubt that the A46 Corridor is a hugely significant route for trade, business, and the economy. A variety of industries and businesses are housed along the corridor, all of which depend upon a reliable road network to connect to major international gateways like Birmingham Airport, the two Freeports at East Midlands Airport and the Humber. “With significant growth also predicted along the corridor over next 20 years, our proposed improvement plan is critical to ensure the A46 can support such growth and keep the UK economy running.” Councillor Mark Cargill, chair of the A46 Partnership, said: “The A46 Partnership was formed to understand the crucial role of the A46 route in benefiting the local economy of the Midlands, alongside the wider UK economy. As chair of the Partnership, I am pleased to support Midlands Connect’s important vision in improving the route and supporting future growth, and I am excited to see the plans take action.”

The LLEP Innovation Board has agreed a 10-point framework for driving forward its vision for regional innovation in Leicester and Leicestershire. Members last week met for the first time since leaders from business, education and the non-profit sectors gathered at MIRA Technology Park for an away day to generate ideas of how to deliver change through to 2030 and beyond. The Innovation Board span out of the LLEP’s involvement in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Programme (REAP). It was one of only six Local Enterprise Partnerships selected by the UK Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to take part in the project. MIT REAP is designed to help regions plan for the acceleration of economic growth and job creation through innovation-driven entrepreneurship. Participation resulted in the LLEP’s tailored approach of encouraging all businesses to innovate, while simultaneously making full use of the region’s three universities and distinct regional assets in sectors including space, life sciences, sport and cyber security. The Innovation Board oversees progress towards strategic objectives, supported by an Innovation Steering Group which works with LLEP officers to deliver necessary action. The 10 points will be used to frame immediate activity taken as part of the LLEP’s commitment to Innovation through its Economic Growth Strategy 2021-30. The next stage for the Innovation Strategy is the creation of a Delivery Plan setting out tactical activity around communications, advocacy, networks, the annual Leicestershire Innovation Festival and more. Dr Nik Kotecha OBE, LLEP Board director and chair of the Innovation Board, said: “Members of our Innovation Board and Steering Group have a wealth of knowledge and skills required to provide strategic focus and thought leadership around innovation in our region. “We now have agreed parameters which will shape our activity – the next step is getting everyone pulling in the same direction as we introduce an action-based Delivery Plan.”

Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR, shows what can be learned from Tesco’s recent advertising ‘controversy’. If you are easily offended by clumsy humour in an effort to attract attention, look away now. However, if you don’t find digital outdoor posters showing an animation with the slogan “For fettucine’s sake” shocking, read on brave reader. For these are the crimes against humour and humanity that befall Tesco right now after the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said they were likely to cause “serious and widespread offence.” I mean, I was offended by how BAD they were, not the poor taste. Yet the ASA said it had received 52 complaints that the ads were offensive because they alluded to swear words, with some people objecting that they were displayed in places where they could be seen by children. Imagine the horror…in one example, three images of pasta covered all but the letter F in “fettucine” before rolling away to reveal the slogan in full. Not mushroom for error… In one sponsored Twitter post an animation displayed the text: “What a load of shiitake.” An image of a mushroom covering the last three letters was seen to roll away. Now, you know I’m a fungi but let’s look at this seriously for a moment from the PR point of view. First, Tesco has apologised and said it was trying to portray customer frustration. Genius move. Acknowledge the “error” yet reinforce the key message at the same time. Remember, a line underneath the ad said that big mobile networks were raising customers’ bills. However, the ASA said the words they were alluding to were “so likely to offend that they should not generally be used or alluded to in advertising, regardless of whether they were used in a tongue-in-cheek manner.” So imagine how far said tongue was implanted into said cheek when they replied with this little beauty: “We’re really sorry for any offence caused. We know the frustration that consumers face when they notice their mobile phone bill has gone up mid-contract and we were reflecting their frustration – and ours – in these ads. We’re proud to offer our mobile customers supermarket value, and so we used a play on words relating to food products.” Another great apology whilst hammering home the message loud and clear! And now…the case is all over the mainstream media at absolutely ZERO COST! Remember, if played correctly, when it comes to PR controversy, sometimes, every little helps.   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.

On Monday 14 November 2022 the East Midlands Expo will return, providing a perfect day for networking and business generation. An established event of over 20 years, for which Business Link is a proud partner, the free to attend expo is well targeted and aimed at the construction, property, business, investment, finance, professional services and related B2B markets. Taking place at the De Vere East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham, the exhibition will open to attendees at 9am, with a seminar taking place between 10:45am and noon. A special networking lunch (for which tickets can be purchased here) will then take place between 12:15pm and 2:15pm, and the exhibition will close at 3:30pm.

For more information on exhibiting at the event click here.

To register to attend the event for free click here.

To secure tickets for the networking lunch click here.