Reprieve for support scheme

BUSINESS support programme operating across Greater Birmingham has been extended to run for another year.

Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) has announced its Growth Hub scheme will continue until next December.

The Growth Hub was set up to provide a range of support services to local businesses such as helping them access finance and skills and to support job creation and its continuation was confirmed at the LEP’s latest AGM.

In February, the Government announced in its Levelling Up White Paper that LEPs in England would be integrated into local democratic institutions and discussions are ongoing between GBSLEP, West Midlands Combined Authority and local councils.

Interim chairwoman Anita

Bhalla said: “It has never been more important to ensure our businesses are supported with the rising cost of living, soaring energy prices and the effects of the EU exit and the ongoing Ukraine war.

“In this transition year as the LEP is integrated with other bodies, it’s important that businesses do not feel there is any disruption to the help and support they receive from the Growth Hub.

“We are continuing to work with the combined authority and Solihull and Birmingham local authorities to work out how future services will be delivered.” The West Midlands Combined Authority recently approved its UK Shared Prosperity Fund investment plan which will see £88 million of funding flow into the region aimed at helping to drive economic growth.

Around £42 million will be set aside for business support which will be deployed at a local level across the region but details of how this will work are still being considered.