The Brexit mini-boom enjoyed by business has boosted the East Midlands Chamber State of the Economy Index to its highest level in nearly two years.

For Quarter 1 of 2017 the measure of business confidence and success stood at 375, only eight points below its Q2 2015 level and nearly 100 points higher than just before the EU Referendum last June.

The Index is based on the net results of responses given by business to repeat questions in the Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Surveys, the latest of which (Q1 2017) was carried out between 20 February and 10 March.

The survey recorded a rise in the number of firms reporting increased sales in the UK (up from 27 net variance to 29) and overseas (up from 14 to 23 net).

Confidence levels were also higher with an increase in the number of firms expecting improved performance in the next three months in the UK (up from 23 to 27 net) and overseas (up from 18 to 26 net).

And the number of East Midlands firms expecting turnover (up from 51 to 67 net) and profitability (up from 30 to 49 net) to increase this year was also higher in the first three months of 2017 than in the final quarter of 2016.

The net variance of firms reporting intentions to invest in equipment rose from 10 to 15, and those with intentions to invest in training went up from 18 to 29.

There was also a boost in employment with the net number of firms reporting increased staffing levels up from 19 to 23 and the variance of those expecting to take on more personnel rising from 20 to 38 net.

However, finding suitably skilled staff remained the single second-biggest issue for responding firms. The most serious longer-term concern according to the Q1 2017 QES was inflation, which leap-frogged the Q4 2016 QES top concerns of business rates and exchange rates.

Chis Hobson, the Chamber’s Director of Policy, said:-

“What these figures confirm yet again is that the East Midlands economy has remained robust and far from falling into the mire of doom and despair predicted by many in response to Brexit has enjoyed nine months of mini-boom.

“We know there are inflationary pressures that can potentially hinder growth, especially coupled with the raft of new upfront costs for businesses introduced this month. Firms are already beginning to do report squeezed margins, but despite that we can see that, on the whole, business remains confident and plans to invest in equipment and training.

“Business in the East Midlands had all but conquered the initial fears over Brexit and coped with the fall in the value of Sterling, however, the recently called General Election on 8 June has the potential to create more short-term uncertainty.

“What is really important now is that all Parties clearly articulate what they stand for. There are a multitude of domestic issues that need to be managed and we would call on all candidates to make clear to business what their plans are for strengthening the economy now, during Brexit negotiations and post-Brexit.”

Theresa May has announced her intention to call a snap General Election for 8 June.

MPs in the House of Commons will be asked tomorrow to vote in favour of the election. Under the Fixed Term Parliament Act, it will take a two-thirds majority to make the election possible.

Mrs May has said that her U-turn from her previous position that she wouldn’t call an early General Election was intended to prevent the uncertainty of an election in 2020 interfering with crucial stages of Brexit negotiations.

Scott Knowles, Chief Executive at East Midlands Chamber, said immediately after Mrs May’s announcement outside Number 10:-

“As a general rule, business doesn’t like elections because they create instability, and this one appears to be creating uncertainty in already uncertain times.

“It could be damaging to the UK economy at a time when business had appeared to have conquered the initial fears over Brexit and coped with the fall in the value of Sterling resulting from the ‘Leave’ vote. Our latest Quarterly Economic Survey has shown that business has been doing better since the EU Referendum than anyone predicted.

“What is really important now is that all Parties clearly articulate what they stand for, without any of the bombast or rhetoric of recent ballots, and to show they are considering much more than just Brexit. There are a multitude of domestic issues that need to be managed and we would call on all candidates to make clear to business what their plans are for strengthening the economy now, during Brexit negotiations and post-Brexit.”

Ashgate Hospicecare is thrilled to announce that they have received a brand new Mitsubishi ASX, kindly donated by Chesterfield’s Gilder Group.

The car, which was passed over to hospice last week, is the newest model of its type which promises to offer great space and comfort to our patients.

Dave Littlewood, Dealer Principal of Chesterfield’s Gilder Mitsubishi, said:-

“We are delighted to continue our support for Ashgate Hospicecare. We hope that this year’s gift of a Mitsubishi ASX will prove to be as reliable and hard working as all the staff and volunteers at the Hospice, who regardless of the weather turn up to provide essential caring, often to remote parts of Derbyshire.

“The staff’s selflessness and good humour rubs off on us all – if we can make their life and that of their patient’s a little easier, then that’s a good job well done!”

Alison Ward-Foster, Partnerships Manager at Ashgate Hospicecare, said:-

“We can’t thank Gilder Group enough for their continued support. Their generosity makes such a difference to our patients who will be able to travel is comfort and style to the Day Hospice. The hospice is also saving money by not purchasing or leasing a vehicle and the money saved enables our nurses to care for more patients and their loved ones.”

Elaine Ryalls, a patient in Ashgate Hospicecare’s Day Hospice, said:-

“The new car looks really lovely.  It makes it possible for me to come to the Day Hospice which provides huge support to me. Thank you for supporting Ashgate Hospicecare.”

Across its full range of services, Ashgate runs a 21-bed Inpatient Unit, a 16-place Day Hospice, and a range of therapy and support services on site. Services are funded mainly through donations and are provided free of charge to patients and their families. The majority of services delivered are in the community, enabling people to stay at home.

Organisations across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire can now apply for grants of up to £16,000 to improve their digital capabilities.

A grant scheme has been set up through the D2N2 Digital Growth Programme, which aims to help enterprises with growth aspirations to maximise their use of existing technology or explore and introduce new and emerging ICT products.

Grants of between £2,000 and £16,000 are available to organisations registered to take part in the scheme. The grants are for 40% of the total cost up to the £16,000 maximum and must be match-funded by the applicant organisation for the balance.

The overall aim will be to encourage and improve competitiveness and productivity.

The grant scheme is being delivered by a partnership including East Midlands Chamber, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire County Councils and Nottingham City Council.

Diane Simpson, Deputy Chief Executive at East Midlands Chamber, who is also the Chamber’s lead on the project, said:-

“Knowing the true value of digital technology and understanding what is right for your enterprise can be a daunting challenge, making it all too easy to miss out on opportunities for improvement.

“The programme we’re delivering will help organisations across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire to explore new ICT products and introduce them in their workplaces to help make them more competitive and more productive.”

Adrian Smith, Nottinghamshire County Council’s Corporate Director – Place, said:-

“There is a growing and rapid need for UK businesses to make sure they are digitally aware and capable so that they will be best-placed to capitalise on the global opportunities awaiting them in a post-Brexit economy.

“This programme provides all the expertise available, providing real foundations for future growth. We would encourage businesses to make the most of this great opportunity to stay ahead of the game.”

The grant scheme forms part of the D2N2 Digital Growth Programme, which will see up to £7.25m of funding invested into the local economy by 2019.

The two-year programme will deliver 360 action-planning workshops, an annual digital conference, dedicated digital business advice, workforce development skills advice and a £1.8m technology grant scheme managed by the local authorities.

At least 2,380 businesses will be engaged with, resulting in 852 businesses receiving intensive support, the creation of 69 new businesses and 639 businesses introducing new digital products or processes.

The programme is being funded by the Chamber, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire County Councils, Nottingham and Derby City Councils, Ruschcliffe Borough Council, Nottingham’s Creative Quarter Company, D2N2 and the European Regional Development Fund.

Any business interested in finding out more about the D2N2 Digital Growth Programme grants, which are subject to eligibility criteria, should, in the first instance, visit and register at www.ebusinessclub.biz/technology-grants.