'Significant hole' is emerging in support available for Yorkshire manufacturers, says MD of Oxford Innovation Advice

The business leader behind a programme which safeguarded more than 2,500 jobs in Yorkshire has warned that a “significant hole” is emerging in the support available for manufacturers who want to provide a long-term boost for the region’s economy.
By Greg Wright
Published 2nd Jun 2023, 12:00 BST
Updated 2nd Jun 2023, 12:00 BST

Jane Galsworthy, the managing director of Oxford Innovation Advice, fears Yorkshire businesses may be forced to rely on lower quality support which fails to measure the commercial benefits of investing in manufacturing. The Manufacturing Growth Programme (MGP), which is designed and delivered by Oxford Innovation Advice, will see its funding from the European Regional Development Fund come to an end this month. MGP was established in October 2016 to address some of the main barriers to growth experienced by SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) manufacturers. Since then, it has been providing grant funding for business improvement and capital projects and specialist mentoring from industry experts, with hundreds of companies supported across Yorkshire.

A spokesman said: “Its dedicated team of Manufacturing Growth Managers has delivered more than £2.85m of grants that, in turn, have unlocked over £5.2m of private sector investment.”

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Ms Galsworthy said specialist initiatives like the Manufacturing Growth Programme play a crucial role in helping companies overcome challenges and barriers to growth. An independent evaluation found that the MGP had helped Yorkshire manufacturers create or safeguard 2,524 jobs since 2016.

One of the UK’s largest industrial business support programmes comes to an end in June after helping Yorkshire manufacturers create or safeguard 2524 jobs since 2016.One of the UK’s largest industrial business support programmes comes to an end in June after helping Yorkshire manufacturers create or safeguard 2524 jobs since 2016.
One of the UK’s largest industrial business support programmes comes to an end in June after helping Yorkshire manufacturers create or safeguard 2524 jobs since 2016.

She added: “With the new UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) dividing up funding for business support at a very local level, there is a risk that Yorkshire businesses will only be able to access generic, low-quality support which delivers lower value for money and less measurable impact on businesses and the economy. We’ve proven over the last seven years what targeted support can do for SME manufacturers, helping them accelerate growth, improve productivity and create jobs.

"With funding for MGP coming to an end, this creates a significant hole in specialist high-quality support for smaller manufacturers. The results of our own survey of manufacturers reinforces this, with 91 per cent of companies admitting they do not know where to turn for business support once this programme completes. In the current economic climate, where businesses face multiple pressures from inflation, high energy prices, supply chain challenges and reduced consumer spending, the programme and its objectives are still as relevant now as they were back in 2016. It is now more important than ever that businesses have access to high-quality business support services and specialist expertise to help them achieve their growth potential. This, in turn, will enhance the economy, create job opportunities, and ensure the prosperity of our local communities.”

Verity Davidge, Director of Policy at industry group Make UK, said: “SMEs are the absolute backbone of the sector employing the vast majority of people and it’s vital that support programmes are maintained to ensure they can grow and prosper.”

Related topics:Yorkshire