With just over a month to go to the EU Referendum, almost half of firms in the East Midlands have only a limited understanding of any business implications of the UK leaving the EU, according to new research.

The survey of local businesses found that 48% of respondents said they had no or only some understanding of how a vote to leave might potentially impact access to skilled labour, their prices and costs and trade with EU and non-EU countries, or the effect it might have on the UK’s political governance.

The research, carried out by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) The research, carried out by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) on behalf of East Midlands Chamber, also found that 47% of respondents from Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, would vote for the UK to remain a part of the EU, while 39% would vote leave.

The results would indicate that voting intentions have tightened since the last time East Midlands businesses were polled, in September 2016, when 56% of respondents indicated they intended to vote to remain and 26% said they would vote for the UK to leave.

Almost 95% of respondents said they are unlikely to change which way they will vote on 23 June.

Just over half (53%) of respondents either didn’t know or believed a leave vote would have no impact on their overall growth strategy, 60% on their import/supply chain strategy, 57% on their export strategy and 45% on their profitability, while 79% were unsure about the potential impact upon their tax management.

The majority of local respondents also reported that the Referendum campaign has had no impact to date on various aspects of their business, from orders and sales (76%), recruitment (92%), and investment (85%), to total costs (86%).

Chamber Chief Executive Scott Knowles said: “With the EU Referendum almost upon us, the business vote has tightened. Although a majority of the businesses we surveyed continued to express a preference to remain in the European Union, the gap between Remain and Leave has narrowed significantly.

“It is worrying that almost a half of respondents said they had no understanding of implications to business of leaving the EU and nearly a quarter did not know how it might impact the way the UK trades with the EU. Many Chamber members have expressed frustration that the public debate to date has been characterised not by fact, but by spin and rhetoric from both sides.

“The Chamber will continue to support its members with information and briefing sessions on how the UK’s relationship with the EU currently works and the different questions that will have to be answered in the event of a vote to leave.

“Ultimately, it is people on the street, and not businesses themselves, who will have their say on 23 June, so all voters who own or run a business and employ people will need to make their decision based on the trade and economic prospects of staying in, or leaving, the EU.

“Regardless of whether the vote results in the UK staying or leaving the EU, the Chamber will be on the front foot to ensure its members have access to the right information to support their planning for continued success.”

The Chamber, in partnership with law firm Eversheds, has produced a fact-based briefing document about the UK’s current relationship with the EU and how this might change in the wake of a vote to either remain a member, or to leave. It can be downloaded by clicking here.

East Midlands Chamber, in partnership with fellow business organisation Nottingham Means Business, is also hosting an EU business debate, aimed at providing firms from across the region with a variety of perspectives from the Referendum campaign, to enable them to make an informed decision at the ballot box.

Guest speakers will include Gabe Winn, of Britain Stronger in Europe, and Dave Buik, a supporter of Vote Leave. The business perspective will be explored by two local business owners, with Ian Baxter, of Baxter Freight, discussing why he believes the UK should stay in the EU and Nigel Baxter, of RH Commercial Vehicles, showing his support for leaving the EU.

It takes place at Nottingham Trent University’s Conference Centre, in Nottingham, between 8am and 10am on 18 May. Places are free and can be booked online at www.emc-dnl.co.uk/events/8717/the-big-eu-business-debate.

Applications are being invited to deliver a new £4.5m programme designed to support local people to develop work skills and secure employment.

Provided through the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership and funded by the European Social Fund (ESF), the ‘INSPIRE Local’ programme is set to help those having trouble finding work due to disabilities or health conditions, having little or no work experience (young and older), living in isolated or rural areas, or living in areas with high levels of social exclusion.

People taking part in the INSPIRE Local Programme will receive:-

• A two week support programme, including help with motivation and creating a plan of action; which could include work experience, further training, health and well-being support, and access to addiction treatment programmes;
• An assigned mentor who will work with individuals for up to a year to support progress with their action plan;
• Funding for individual’s additional needs; such as extra equipment needed to enable someone to undertake work experience;
• Mentoring support for up to six months once people are in employment; and practical help with things such as travel costs, work equipment and extra training.
• Complementary help to enable people to progress further once they have completed their programme (which may take up to a year).

INSPIRE Local aims to help at least a quarter (25%) of participants into sustainable employment.

Applications to deliver the programme will be reviewed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), which is providing matched funding for and managing the INSPIRE Local programme for D2N2. The deadline for applications is Tuesday June 14 (2016).

Successful applicants will be expected to start delivering INSPIRE Local by the end of 2016. Funding will be available for them for up to three years.

Free information sessions for organisations wanting to bid to deliver INSPIRE Local will be held this month (May), where they can learn about the priorities of D2N2’s ESF programme.

In Chesterfield there will be a session at Casa Hotel from 10am to 2pm on Monday 16th May, with lunch provided. The event is free to attend but places are limited and must be booked in advance. To book a place online go to www.d2n2lep.org/Events; or contact Hannah Gamble, at the D2N2 LEP, on email: hannah.gamble@d2n2lep.org

David Ralph, Chief Executive of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “INSPIRE Local aims to help people overcome the barriers they may face to finding sustainable employment; whether domestic, educational, social or other issues.

“By providing in-depth support tailored to individuals’ needs and circumstances, the programme can help people find and retain sustainable employment; supporting individuals, families and the wider economy.

“INSPIRE Local is one of a series of D2N2 programmes aimed at helping people move towards and into work, and progress in the employment market.”

Funding for INSPIRE Local will be provided through the European Social Fund (ESF) – part of the €250million European Structural and Investment Funds allocated to D2N2 to grow its area’s economy. D2N2 is the private sector-led partnership of business, local authorities, skills and training providers, community and volunteer groups, and others which works to promote economic growth and create jobs in its area.

Further information regarding the contract opportunity is available on the Gov.UK website at www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/49150ea3-b2d0-460a-9efc-3b349d7edd63.

For further information regarding the D2N2 European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) programme, please visit the D2N2 ESIF website at www.d2n2lep.org/EUFunding OR contact Richard Kirkland, at the D2N2 LEP, on email: Richard.kirkland@d2n2lep.org

Chesterfield headquartered Global Brands  has announced a marketing first as it launches a campaign for Hooch that will air solely across digital and social media.  Working with a new generation of’ digital influencers’ the brand will deliver a comedy based Outrageously Refreshing social video series that is set to reach 17 million users.

This represents a bold departure from the previous ATL focus for the fastest growing RTD brand, which won the Best TV & Cinema Campaign at The Grocer’s Marketing and Advertising Awards in 2014.

Starting on the 1^st of May, Joe Charman, Huw Samuel, Leslie Wai and Stuggy, four of the UK’s top Vine Stars, will deliver a 3 month content plan across the Instagram, Vine, Facebook, Twitter, Snap Chat and You Tube platforms.  Their videos will see the lads in an assortment of outrageously refreshing comical moments made up of short sketches and pranks.  This campaign is set to reach a huge 5.8 million people, the combined following of all 4 comedians, an industry first.

Commenting on the campaign, Hooch marketing director Simon Green said “We are excited to bring some of the UK’s freshest original talent together to entertain and grow our loyal Hooch audience.  This builds on the brand’s reputation for disruptive and ‘full on’ activity.”

Huw Samuel adds “This campaign is so different to what most brands do because Hooch is investing in its social channels for a long term goal.  Lots of brands want one or two videos a year while Hooch are taking care of their channel and providing their audience with entertainment on a longer and higher scale.”

More activity with Joe, Huw, Leslie and Stuggy is planned for later in the summer extending the length of the sponsorship.  They have also hinted that there will be special bonus content to come on top of the planned campaign activity.

Hooch’s previous campaign set the brand high with Full on Refreshment, staring Keith Lemon, receiving fantastic response and reaching 2.8million people, including a growth of thirty thousand likes on Facebook in five months.

The Derbyshire Workplace Challenge is launching a new Walking Challenge for May.

Business colleagues are invited to sign up for the online activity log challenge, which for the month of May is dedicated to walking, allowing workers to track how much walking they have done and earn activity points for themselves and their team to progress up a special online leaderboard.

The Walking Challenge will run from Sunday, May 1 to Tuesday, May 31, and participants will also be in with a chance of winning great prizes such as 12 tickets to a Derbyshire County Cricket Club home match, a Stand Up Paddle (SUP) taster session for two people at Carsington Sports and Leisure, or a £25 Central Health voucher which can be used for any treatment at Central Physio, Central FootClinic or Central Osteopaths.

The Workplace Challenge is a free and fun activity tracker open to anyone in any workplace.  New users can join individually, or with colleagues to give an added element of competition, and track how active they really are in a quick and informal way.

Rachael Dyer, Sport Development Officer at Derbyshire Sport, which runs the Workplace Challenge in Derbyshire, said: “The aim of the Derbyshire Workplace Challenge is to motivate workers across the county to get more active and encourage their colleagues to do the same.

“We want to inspire people to make a few small changes to their working day which could help to make a real difference to their health and fitness. This could include walking to work, getting off the bus earlier or parking further from the office and then walking the rest of the way, holding walking meetings or going for a walk during lunch.

“By logging their walking workers will be able to see how small changes like this can really begin to add up. Activity done outside of work at any time also counts too – just be warned, the Workplace Challenge can be addictive as you watch your points rise and your energy levels soar!”

If you have taken part in a previous challenge or already registered you can log your activity at www.workplacechallenge.org.uk/derbyshire and you will be added to the new challenge leaderboard.