§ 33. Dr. IddonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps she is taking to raise the profile of innovation among British firms. [40987]
§ Mr. BattleThe Department has a special Innovation Unit which works to spread best practice in and awareness of innovation through events such as the Audience with Innovation recently given by Richard Branson, through publications such as Partnerships with People and through networking both regionally and nationally with companies, with public and private sector bodies and with other parts of DTI.
In addition, last year my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade set up six business-led Working Parties, including one on innovation which I chaired, to make recommendations about how the UK could be made more competitive.