Badenoch accused of axing funding that helped UK fashion labels launch globally

Scheme used by designers including Paul Smith and Vivienne Westwood to launch brands at fashion shows

The UK trade secretary, Kemi Badenoch, has been accused of quietly killing off a funding stream for small businesses that had helped fashion brands such as Paul Smith and Vivienne Westwood launch their products at global trade fairs.

Specific support has been provided by the government since 2006 to small and medium-sized companies wanting to showcase their products at overseas exhibitions, but after years of budget cuts the initiative has been shelved.