§ Mr. CasaleTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on her plans to promote competitiveness. [2121]
§ Mrs. BeckettAs a first step, I intend to publish an audit of the UK's competitiveness to provide an objective benchmark of how well the UK is performing in every factor of competitiveness.
This will be followed by a period of extensive consultation with people who play a leading role in business, beginning with a Competitiveness Summit in July.
I am also setting up an Advisory Group on competitiveness, which I will chair and which will comprise leading business figures, people from small firms and representatives of the workforce. This Group will be assisted by a number of working groups which will examine specific aspects of competitiveness. Its remit will be to report to me on all aspects of the competitiveness agenda, including giving advice on policy development for a White Paper on Competitiveness to be published early next year.