A support scheme for British exporters at international trade shows has been scrapped by the Department for International Trade.

The Tradeshow Access Programme (TAP) provided a small amount of financial support to SME companies attending major international trade shows. 

The UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT) has called the move “catastrophic” and says the scheme had been “enormously important” for the industry as it provided a route to financial support for smaller companies as they started their export journey.

UKFT says it has worked with those companies and the government to ensure the grants are used in the most effective way and to help companies grow through international sales.

It has written to Graham Stuart MP, Minister for Exports at DIT, and Stephen Barclay MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, to request an urgent meeting and clarification of the government plans. While it has been told that HM Treasury will look at ways the government can remain involved with international shows it is unclear whether fashion and textiles will remain a priority or whether grants will be part of any new scheme.

Adam Mansell, CEO at UKFT, said: “During the pandemic and the approach to Brexit, we were baffled to see that the UK was the only European country not to increase its support for export businesses. Support was effectively mothballed for 14 months while the Treasury reviewed the TAP scheme. The decision to cancel TAP without having a viable alternative is catastrophic as we start to come out of the pandemic. It makes little sense when compared to the government’s declared ambitions for “Global Britain” and “levelling up”.

“UKFT and its members are committed to working with government to get the best deal for our exporters, especially in the UK’s new trade agreement markets such as the EU and Japan. We recognise that budgets are incredibly tough and we are here to help on the ground but for this to happen government needs to listen to and support this vital industry.”

Just Style understands the Department of International Trade is focusing its support on several key tradeshows, aiming to expand the impact that is generated from those events, which are part of the wider export campaigns being delivered through its export strategy, to help drive growth around the whole of the UK. It is unclear whether those trade shows are apparel or textile linked.

The UK is also looking to capitalise on opportunities resulting from the Free Trade Agreements.

In an email to Just Style, a spokesperson for the UK Department of International Trade said: “This government has been, and remains, committed to supporting UK businesses and helping them overcome the challenges that COVID-19 has presented. That is why we have delivered one of the most generous and comprehensive packages of support globally.

“DIT will continue to help UK businesses realise their export potential by providing support, education and export skills that will deliver longer-term tangible benefits to the internationalisation of their business.”