The views of businesses, workers and consumers will play a major
role in the UK’s trade policy after we leave the European Union.
Members of the Strategic Trade Advisory Group have been named
today. They will advise the government on future strategic trade
policy issues, including on future trade agreements with the USA,
Australia and New Zealand.
The group includes 16 representatives from organisations –
including businesses, trade unions and civil society – that cover
a wide range of interests from all parts of the UK. It will meet
at least four times a year and will be chaired by Trade Policy
Minister .
This is part of the government’s commitment to an inclusive and
transparent trade policy that works for all regions and nations
of the UK.
It follows a 14-week consultation period on our future trade
agreements, which attracted around 600,000 responses.
As part of the consultation, Government Ministers and senior
officials also hosted series of 12 roundtables in partnership
with businesses and interest groups, including the CBI and TUC.
Minister for Trade Policy said:
“The UK has a golden opportunity to forge stronger trading
relationships with some of the largest and fastest growing
economies in the world as we leave the European Union.
“We will approach all trade negotiations in a transparent and
inclusive way and the Strategic Trade Advisory Group will help us
to secure new trade agreements that increase prosperity across
the whole of the UK.
“The group includes representatives from across business, civil
society and trade unions. This will make sure we have robust and
productive discussions about the direction of our trade policy,
taking all points of view into account.”
Carolyn Fairbairn, Director-General of CBI,
said:
“We are delighted to have been chosen to represent the business
voice on the Government's new Strategic Trade Advisory Group, an
important body that will steer the UK's trade policy for years to
come.
“Trade between the United Kingdom and international partners is
the cornerstone of our strong economy, creating new jobs, raising
productivity and increasing prosperity across the country and the
globe.
“We look forward to working closely with the Government to ensure
the interests of business are prominently reflected in the UK's
trade policy, and that we take full advantage of expanding our
trading footprint in rapidly growing markets.”
Mike Cherry OBE, National Chairman of the Federation of
Small Businesses, said:
“Exporting is critical to boosting small business productivity.
It’s essential that the voice of small business is front and
centre of developing trade policy including new free trade
agreements and practical interventions to increase exporting
across the globe.
“The Strategic Trade Advisory Group is an important step forward
in ensuring the needs of small businesses in relation to trade
are understood and delivered upon.
“For trade to work across all regions and nations in the UK, this
group will allow an inclusive and transparent policy to be
created, lowering costs for small firms and keeping trade easy.”
Michael Gidney, CEO
of Fairtrade Foundation, said:
“At Fairtrade, we know that decisions about trade policy can have
a dramatic impact on developing country farmers and workers, and
their access to our market.
“Participation in the UK government’s Strategic Advisory Group is
a valuable opportunity to ensure that their voices are heard at
the highest level and I welcome the opportunity to engage at this
critical juncture.
“Fairtrade will continue to draw on the experiences of those 1.66
million Fairtrade producers, in 73 countries around the world, to
argue for a just global trading system that delivers for those
who continue to live and work in poverty.”
Notes to editors
Members have been selected to provide a breadth of knowledge and
experience. Membership will be reviewed each year and members for
2019-2020 are:
* , Minister for Trade
(Chair)
* Prof Holger Breinlich, University of Surrey
(Academia)
* Carolyn Fairbairn, Confederation of British
Industry (BRO)
* Gary Campkin, CityUK (Services BRO)
* Dr Scott Steedman CBE, British Standards
Institution (Consumer, Standards)
* Caroline Normand, Which? (Consumer)
* Dr Dirk Willem te Velde, Overseas Development
Institute (Developmental)
* Mark Abrams, Trade Finance Global (New Entrant)
* Michael Gidney, Fair Trade Foundation (NGOs)
* Nick Coburn CBE, Ulster Carpets Group (NI
Business)
* Liz Cameron OBE, Scottish Chambers of
Commerce (Scottish Business)
* Sean Ramsden, Ramsden International (SMEs)
* Mike Cherry OBE, Federation of Small
Business (SMEs, BRO)
* Sam Lowe, Centre for European Reform (Think Tanks)
* Paul Nowak, Trade Union Congress (Trade Unions)
* Prys Morgan, Kepak Group Limited (Welsh Business)
