Export Partners UK (EPUK), a coalition representing sectors from automotive to fashion and baby products, met with Antonia Bance MP to discuss the state of UK exports and the support needed to unlock global market opportunities. The meeting, held in Westminster, was described by attendees as the most positive yet in ongoing efforts to raise awareness of export-related challenges.
Will Jones of the British Home Enhancement Trade Association joined fellow EPUK members in presenting key concerns to Ms. Bance, Labour MP for Tipton and Wednesbury and a member of the Business and Trade Select Committee. Also representing the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Manufacturing, Ms. Bance engaged in constructive dialogue with the group.
During the meeting, participants welcomed recent trade deals but stressed that without practical government support, many small and medium-sized businesses continue to struggle to access new markets. One point of discussion was the value of the now-defunct Tradeshow Access Programme, which until its termination in 2021 had played a vital role in helping UK businesses gain a foothold in international markets.
The group also raised systemic barriers to UK competitiveness, including disproportionately high energy costs compared to other European nations, the need for an improved UK-EU trade arrangement, and the financial burden of recent National Insurance increases. A key message from the discussion was the call for a more holistic and interconnected approach to export policy, acknowledging that most sectors rely heavily on one another within the broader trade ecosystem.
“The government appears to be listening,” a spokesperson from the meeting said. “But words need to be matched with action. Exporting is not just about trade deals—it’s about enabling British businesses to thrive in a complex, competitive global market.”
EPUK’s message was clear: if the UK is to capitalise on new trade agreements, targeted support mechanisms and long-term strategic planning must return to the top of the political agenda.
