Posted by Rachel Westall on 31 July 2025
Businesses and workers in the East of England are set to benefit from the UK’s trade deal with India as new analysis shows the landmark agreement will deliver a £190 million boost for the local economy as part of the Plan for Change. Both Prime Ministers met yesterday morning for the signing of the landmark UK-India trade deal as new analysis reveals communities across every region of the UK will benefit from its £4.8 billion increase to UK GDP each year. It comes as a series of investment and export wins have been confirmed by UK and Indian businesses, representing an overall boost of nearly £6 billion and creating over 2,200 jobs.
Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: "The millions brought to the East of England each year from the deal we've signed with India will be keenly felt across local communities, whether that's higher wages for workers, more choice for shoppers, or increased overseas sales for businesses. This government is proving time and again that we can deliver on our mission to grow the economy, put more money in pockets and boost living standards under our Plan for Change."
Workers in the East of England will enjoy an uplift in pay as UK wages grow by £2.2 billion each year and could also see cheaper prices and more choice on clothes, shoes, and food products. The UK already imports £11 billion in goods from India but liberalised tariffs on Indian goods will make it easier and cheaper to buy their best products.
For businesses in the East of England this could mean potential savings when importing components and materials used in areas such as advanced manufacturing or luxury and consumer goods.
India's trade weighted average tariff will drop from 15% to 3% which means companies in the East of England selling medical devices to India will find it easier to sell to the Indian market. It gives the UK an advantage over international competitors in reaching the Indian market, forecast to have over a quarter of a billion high income consumers by 2050.
Simon Hansford, Chief Commercial Officer at Civo, a cloud provider founded in Hertfordshire, said: "The UK-India trade deal is a game-changer for UK businesses. Significant tariff reductions on our exports will mean our products can be more competitive and accessible in India's rapidly growing market. Guaranteed access to India's public procurement market and simplified customs processes could be transformational for many. This deal offers substantial benefits, boosting confidence and creating new avenues for growth in areas that were previously challenging to navigate, making it easier for UK SMEs to trade and thrive internationally."
