Government recognises RDAs ignore print

Hopes for better government funding for the print industry have been raised by a select committee report published last week.

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