Spending on IT services among Bradford businesses has increased over the past 12 months thanks to a new series of grants.

E-Business Unlimited (EBU) grants, are operated by the business advice service Business Link, and can cover up to 50 per cent of the cost of an IT project.

EBU grants are allocated on a case-by-case basis and the cash injection they provide has seen IT spending increase across West Yorkshire, bringing about a resurgence in spending on IT consultancy - up 13 per cent in the past year.

Business experts have hailed the increased spending on IT consultancy, as a sign that companies are feeling secure about making a long term investment in technology.

Emma Radcliffe, of Premier IT Consultants, one of the IT consultancy firms to have benefited from this upsurge, said: "The recent resurgence in IT consultancy comes from businesses beginning to realise that it is cheaper for them in the long run to out source IT work.

"It brings costs right down for them and allows for more business continuity, as we can look at risks of the systems they have and advise them accordingly."

Premier IT Consultants, now based on Bradford Road, Cleckheaton, is spreading the word to businesses about the grants. The company has recently moved from its old base in Huddersfield to the new premises in Cleckheaton to take up more of central location West Yorkshire.

The firm has also recently appointed a new sales manager, Richard Poole, to add more experience to its growing business sector.

It was set up in 2004, with the help of Yorkshire Forward's West Yorkshire Ventures, the agency which aims to fund start-up businesses with the potential to turn over more than £1 million within three years.

Paul Norton, managing director at Premier IT Consultants, said: "IT forms the backbone and blood system of any modern business, but only a minority of companies have the inclination and resources to acquire in-house expertise in this often complex and daunting area."