Early day motion 84

PERFORMANCE OF UK TRADE AND INVESTMENT TOWARDS BRITISH SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES

• Session: 2013-14
• Date tabled: 14.05.2013
• Primary sponsor: Kawczynski, Daniel
• Sponsors:
  • Davies, Glyn
  • Reckless, Mark
  • Russell, Bob
  • Simpson, David
  • Williams, Mark

That this House notes that the feedback from over 300 British small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) interviewed by the hon. Member for Shrewsbury over the last eight months for a report on the performance of UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) has highlighted many areas for concern; further notes that the report will be published on 10 June; urges the Government to take note of the profound frustrations that many SMEs are facing with regard to their interaction with this organisation; believes that for British exports to enjoy an increase commensurate with the Government's aspirations, UKTI should be privatised and become a single entity with the chief executive and his board being able to manage staff independently without interference from the Foreign Office and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills; and further notes that under such a private structure the right calibre of commercial sales experts can be engaged who would be able to provide levels of service rightly demanded by Britain's entrepreneurs.