UK Government allocates £500,000 to elevate British services exports

In a strategic move to maintain the United Kingdom’s position as a leading global services exporter, the government has committed £500,000 to support professionals, including architects, auditors, and accountants, in expanding their international reach. This announcement, by the Department for Business and Trade and The Rt Hon Greg Hands MP on January 24, 2024, displays a deliberate effort to facilitate the recognition of UK qualifications overseas, providing a framework for professionals and businesses to explore new international markets. 

Central to this initiative is the Recognition Arrangements Grant programme, which will allocate grants of up to £75,000 to UK regulators and professional bodies. This financial support aims to support these entities to negotiate and establish agreements with counterparts globally, streamlining the process for recognising UK qualifications abroad. The overarching objective is to simplify, expedite, and make more cost-effective the international export of UK professionals’ services and expertise. 

The United Kingdom, globally renowned for its high-quality services companies, holds the distinction of being the world’s second-largest exporter of services, surpassed only by the United States. Despite this esteemed recognition, the challenge of navigating varied international qualification standards often impedes professionals from seamlessly practising abroad. The government’s commitment of £500,000 seeks to mitigate these challenges, reducing barriers and enabling UK companies to fully capitalise on opportunities in the global marketplace. 

This announcement marks the third round of funding following successful initiatives that led to agreements between the UK’s Financial Reporting Council and counterparts in New Zealand and Switzerland. These agreements not only facilitated UK audit firms in selling their services more easily in those countries but also exemplified the success of collaborative international efforts. The current round also targets sectors such as legal services, accountancy, and architecture, exploring agreements with countries including Morocco, Hong Kong, and India. 

The financial commitment has gained positive responses from UK regulators and professional bodies. Sarah Rapson, Executive Director of Supervision at the Financial Reporting Council, commends the Recognition Arrangements Grant Programme for its instrumental role in securing mutual recognition agreements with New Zealand and Switzerland. This has not only enhanced the UK’s audit market but has also strengthened financial ties with key overseas markets. 

As global recognition agreements develop, businesses and professionals gain improved access to new markets, reduced trade barriers, and a simplified process for exporting UK services worldwide. The government’s commitment aligns with the broader trend of growth in UK services exports, reaching £472 billion in the year ending November 2023, a commendable £65 billion increase (16%) from the previous year. This forward-looking initiative not only promises to enhance the competitiveness of UK professionals on the global stage but also positions the UK as a preferred destination for international services collaboration, promoting  economic growth through greenfield investment. 

InvestUK is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Financial Services Compensation Scheme established for the protection of investors does not apply.