Manufacturing Growth Programme delivers 12,435 SME jobs as it targets new-look funding landscape
One of the UK’s most successful industrial business support programmes comes to an end in June after helping the manufacturing sector to create or safeguard more than 12,435 jobs since 2016.
The Manufacturing Growth Programme (MGP), which is designed and delivered by Oxford Innovation Advice, will see funding from the European Regional Development Fund end and is now urging the Government and local authorities to ensure that tailored advice for manufacturing SMEs is quickly put in place.
A recent independent evaluation* of the programme found that MGP has delivered excellent value for money and achieved real results. The report revealed that over 95% of businesses surveyed expected their business to grow in the next five years, as a result of receiving support from the programme, with 63% identifying the development of new products as one of the key areas. In addition, 63% said they had already seen an increase in turnover, while 52% cited improved productivity as the main outcome of the support received.