1284 Communications joined regional business leaders to watch the Budget live at a roundtable held at the King Power Stadium. 

The event, hosted by East Midlands Chamber, coincided with the launch of the Chamber’s Framework for Growth - a new policy document outlining steps for Government and political leaders to unlock economic growth in the East Midlands.

Published on the same day as the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget, the Framework for Growth is based on extensive research and engagement with businesses across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, and Leicestershire. 

It outlines key asks in four priority areas:

• Skills and workforce development, including flexible skills funds for SMEs and microbusinesses; a single skills portal for apprenticeships; and government-funded training and business support.

• Infrastructure and connectivity, including full delivery of improvements to the A46 and A50/A500 corridor, completion of Midland Mainline electrification, and universal access to gigabit broadband and 5G.

• Planning efficiency, including digitised planning processes, greater delegation to planning officers, and more resources for local planning authorities.

• Energy and taxation, including energy cost relief and efficiency grants for manufacturers and energy-intensive sectors; rapid reform of the business rates system; and a long-term, multi-year roadmap for business tax.

1284 Managing Director George Oliver, who is a chamber Board member, was among those invited to the King Power.

He said: “The asks in the Framework are clear, targeted and rooted in what firms are experiencing every day, from skills shortages to infrastructure bottlenecks.

“Our hope is that national and local decision-makers now pick this up and work with business to turn it into tangible change on the ground.”