UK pilot will support profession recognition agreements

A pilot funding programme has been announced by the UK Government to provide targeted support to UK professional bodies and business services regulators to help UK qualified professionals and businesses deliver services overseas.

The announcement follows the introduction to Parliament of the Professional Qualifications Bill, which makes provision for agreements over recognition of qualifications between UK regulators and their overseas counterparts.

The pilot grant funding programme, which will run for the current financial year, will support regulators and professional bodies negotiating recognition arrangements by providing funding for additional technical expertise. 

Minister for Investment Lord Grimstone commented: "This funding is a welcome addition to our support for regulators in helping their professionals seize opportunities abroad, building on their reputation and those of their professions as being the global gold standard for quality, skill and reliability.

"Today’s announcement complements our new legislation, enabling UK regulators to enter into agreements with their overseas counterparts, supporting their autonomy to ensure professionals continue to meet the rigorous standards expected. The pilot grant funding programme will provide limited, targeted financial support to professional and business services regulators who are looking to negotiate and agree recognition arrangements with their overseas counterparts.

"When negotiating recognition arrangements, regulators may benefit from using additional technical expertise, which is why the Government is providing grant funding for eligible regulators to use towards the cost of the technical expertise they require, for example translation or experts to help map the qualifications recognised by overseas regulators. This will ultimately help regulators, businesses and professionals to access new markets and reduce barriers to trade."