The government has pledged £500,000 of funding to help facilitate agreements that will allow UK professionals to qualify more easily to provide services in foreign countries.
UK-qualified professionals, such as architects, lawyers or accountants, are often not qualified by their UK qualification to practise abroad. Therefore, anyone wishing to do so usually has to obtain further professional qualifications in foreign countries, which is slow and expensive.
UK regulators and professional bodies will be able to apply for grants of up to £75,000, for each year that the grant is available, to enable them to make deals with their counterparts in other countries that allow for mutual recognition of qualifications.
It is hoped that this funding will make it easier for businesses and professionals to export their services worldwide, reduce trade barriers and open access to new markets.
The Recognition Arrangements Grant will be available until 31 March 2025.
See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-pledges-500000-to-boost-british-services-exports
The UK economy continues to show a mixed picture, with recent data highlighting both relief for households and ongoing challenges for businesses.
With 2025 coming to a close, you may already be starting to reflect on how the year unfolded in your business.