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SME manufacturers offered new support

A new national programme has been launched to help small and medium manufacturing businesses to grow.

The new Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) became available to all manufacturing businesses across England from 3 January.

It will be delivered by the Manufacturing Advisory Consortium (MAC) and it has been estimated that it will help to generate £1.5 billion in economic growth, 23,000 jobs and safeguard 50,000 jobs.

Launching MAS, Business Minister Mark Prisk said: “Manufacturing contributes half of Britain’s exports and has much higher productivity than the rest of the economy so it is essential to our plans for growth. That is why we are taking steps to ensure our industrial base is thriving as part of a strong and balanced UK economy.

“The new Manufacturing Advisory Service will play a key role, providing tailored advice to businesses helping them to grow and thrive, with a specific focus on helping SMEs improve competitiveness and unlock their growth potential.”

Small manufacturing businesses will also have access to a new initiative recently announced by the government to improve the global competitiveness of UK advanced manufacturing supply chains. A fund of up to £125 million will help to support the UK supply chain, encourage new suppliers to invest in the UK and support economic growth.

Link: MAS website