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PRIVACY
Enterprise

Business support programme extended for another year

Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP's Growth Hub will continue despite talks ongoing over group's future

GBSLEP interim chairwoman Anita Bhalla

A 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."