Recommendation 58

The business support landscape is fragmented and poorly organised. In recent years, departments have often proposed ‘hubs’ as a low-cost way of supplying integrated services offered by many different parts of the public realm. They are often vague in design and typically lack institutional strength, staying power, and a clear intuitively understood range of services. They are no substitute for a service designed and built for the long term. The decision to grant Mayoral Strategic Authorities more autonomy over the delivery of business support is welcome - but it is not guaranteed to improve the quality of these services. Many areas are also outside of mayoral boundaries, and it is possible that some regions will not join mayoralties until the end of this Parliament. The Government must deliver a service that works for everyone, regardless of their local government arrangements. (Conclusion, Paragraph 203)