Lord Lucasasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they will start the dialogues on the proposed benchmarking of industrial performance.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Simon of Highbury)The Government will be publishing an audit of the UK's competitive position in the autumn. This will offer a benchmark of UK performance, including strengths and weaknesses. The content of the audit will be informed by the views of business represented at a Business Summit hosted by the President of the Board170WA of Trade on 23 July, and of the President's Advisory Group on Competitiveness announced on 23 July.
Following publication of the audit, there will be extensive dialogue and consultation with business on policies and priorities to improve the UK's competitiveness. In particular, a number of business-led working parties will advise on specific aspects of this agenda. This process will help inform the development of policies for a White Paper on Competitiveness to be published next year.