The Trade and Industry Select Committee report, "Inquiry into Support to Business from Regional Development Agencies", said that regional development agencies (RDAs) did not recognise the printing industry.

In a letter to MPs on the select committee, the BPIF argued that the current system places too much emphasis on supporting industries concentrated in particular areas.

The report said: "An overemphasis on clusters ... risks neglecting those industries that are more dispersed. ... The printing industry, for example, is large nationally but has no geographical centre. As a consequence, it is not recognised by the majority of RDAs."

Laura Jackson, BPIF public affairs officer, said: "Geographically, it's a problem, because money goes out to the regions and within the regions they prioritise by looking for clusters, such as steel in Sheffield. It's not great if you're a printer, where there are no real clusters.

"We said that sector-specific support is much better, because if you're a printer, you don't want to go to the RDA and have to deal with somebody who doesn't know your industry in the slightest."

She added: "It's fine being a minority in a region, but it's not fine if you're marginalised and overlooked. We want an acknowledgement that that's a problem and an acknowledgement that where there's a good case for support we'll receive it."

Story by Josh Brooks