§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what action she has taken to ensure that Ministers in her Department receive advice from business. [8974]
§ Mr. BattleMinisters and officials are in regular contact with business people representing all sectors and sizes of firms from across the country. In addition to consulting business and other interested parties from time to time on specific policy proposals, my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has initiated a more formal process of consultation with business on policies and priorities to improve competitiveness.
This initiative—Competitiveness UK—will include establishing an Advisory Group of prominent business people to advise the President on all aspects of competitiveness; holding a Business Summit on 23 July to establish common ground on a range of areas for further discussion; and creating a number of Working Parties drawn mainly from business to advise on specific aspects of competitiveness. This will help inform the development of policies for a White Paper on Competitiveness to be published next year.