Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, with reference to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade policy paper entitled Professional and Business Services Jobs Plan, published on 19 October 2026, whether any funding for the delivery of the London-centred regional PBS hub will be spent in (a) Essex or (b) any other county around London.

The Professional and Business Services Jobs Plan references PBS Regional Hubs covering the West Midlands, West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, and the Edinburgh/Glasgow Central Belt. There is not a BIST funded PBS hub for the London region.

Separately, the Greater London Authority is investing £14.4 million to establish an employer-led talent system. Sub-regional hubs will cover several sectors, skills and occupations, and provision through these hubs will be available to Londoners residing within the relevant sub-region.