The latest national Business Confidence Monitor (BCM) shows that UK business confidence rebounded sharply in Q3 2026, but remained marginally negative as firms moderated their expectations for future sales and profits. The recovery was broad-based, yet weaker hiring, persistent cost pressures and geopolitical uncertainty point to a fragile rather than strong improvement.

Energy security and regional growth are often treated as separate goals. In reality, they can reinforce each other. As the UK builds a cleaner energy system, the Humber and the North East are well placed to become national hubs for low-carbon hydrogen.