§ Mr. TynanTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent research her Department has(a) carried out and (b) commissioned with regard to improving productivity in the United Kingdom; what their main findings were; and what discussions she has had with colleagues regarding implementing these findings. [114663]
§ Ms HewittRaising UK prosperity is the Governments central economic objective. In order to ensure that policy is evidence based, the DTI undertakes extensive research into the drivers of UK productivity performance.
Recent examples of the DTFs own research include the Productivity and Competitiveness Indicators (2002) and a study into the competitiveness of UK textile industry (both available at www.dti. gov.uk/economics). The DTI also commissions external research, including Michael Porters study of UK Competitiveness, and the international comparisons of productivity produced by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research. The Governments Adding it up web-site (http:// www.addingitiup.gov.uk/epc/dtitlr.cfm#4) contains more information on the research underpinning productivity policy.
The research shows that the UK needs to improve its performance in a range of areas, such as skills and innovation, if we are to narrow the productivity gap with our major competitors.
DTI ministers and officials work across Government to develop evidence-based policies that improve the UK's productivity and competitiveness.