Liam Fox launches toolkit for MPs to help boost UK exports

• International Trade Secretary Dr Liam Fox MP will launch a toolkit for MPs to champion the benefits of exporting in their constituencies
• The toolkit will provide MPs with the tools they need to encourage local businesses to begin their export journey or expand their global reach
• The Department for International Trade estimates that 19% of UK registered businesses have goods or services that could be sold overseas but aren’t

Members of Parliament will today (Wednesday 17 July) be urged to become ‘local trade ministers’ as the Department for International Trade (DIT) launches a toolkit to help MPs promote UK exports. 

Launched as part of DIT’s ‘Exporting is GREAT’ campaign, the MP Toolkit will provide MPs with the tools they need to help businesses in their constituencies realise their exporting potential – whether that’s celebrating local exporters on social media, sharing regional trade statistics, hosting trade promotion or networking events or directing local businesses to DIT for exporting advice and financial support. 

The toolkit will be shared with MPs at a launch event in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Room from 11am to 12pm. All Members of Parliament are welcome to attend.

Dr Fox will make opening remarks to fellow MPs during the launch event. He is expected to say:

“We have a responsibility to help our constituencies prepare for the future. And for all the successes of the UK economy, we must acknowledge that the headwinds in the global economy are blowing strong.

“One of the best preparations we can make to deal with these headwinds is ensuring the UK’s export performance is as strong as it possibly can be: to build resilience, help our businesses grow, create jobs and boost wages.”

He will also address the significance of the MP Toolkit, saying:

“My Department estimates that 19% of UK registered businesses have goods or services which could be sold overseas but currently aren’t.

“As MPs we can help rectify this by acting as trade ministers for our constituencies: encouraging businesses to start exporting by making them aware of the benefits, informing them of the support available and putting them in touch with that support.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

• Over the past year, 58,080 jobs were created and safeguarded as a result of FDI projects which DIT supported. [Source: DIT Inward Investment Results 2019]
• Last year, DIT helped UK businesses export goods and services worth around £30.5 billion [Source: DIT Annual Report and Accounts 2018]
• Analysis by the Institute for Economic Affairs has estimated that this could potentially generate around £10 billion for the Exchequer. [Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/trade-dividend-estimate-an-explanation-of-methodology/trade-dividend-estimate-an-explanation-of-methodology]
• To date, the UK has signed or agreed in principle agreements with countries that account for 63% of the UK’s trade with all the countries with which the UK is seeking continuity for a potential No Deal.

The Department for International Trade (DIT) helps businesses export, drives inward and outward investment, negotiates market access and trade deals, and champions free trade.

We are an international economic department, responsible for: 

• supporting and encouraging UK businesses to drive sustainable international growth
• ensuring the UK remains a leading destination for international investment and maintains its number one position for international investment stock in Europe
• opening markets, building a trade framework with new and existing partners which is free and fair
• using trade and investment to underpin the government’s agenda for a Global Britain and its ambitions for prosperity, stability and security worldwide.

Export Strategy

• The Export Strategy sets out how the government will support businesses of all sizes to make the most of the opportunities presented by markets around the world.
• A government-led collaboration with business, developed after extensive engagement with a range of UK firms - the Strategy sets a new ambition from government to increase exports as a proportion of UK GDP to 35%.
• It presents a streamlined and targeted offer for businesses of all sizes, set to raise productivity, boost wages and protect employment across the UK.
• This is just the start – in the months ahead DIT will lead work across government to assess what more we can do to support UK business to achieve a step change in their exporting performance.