Creating a new independent UK Board of Trade

The UKTBC has recommended the creation of a new independent agency that would act to DBT as the OBR does to the Treasury. Modelled on the highly regarded Swedish Board of Trade, this new agency will be accountable to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade. 

Our panellists joined the UKTBC in calling for an independent body that could contribute to the trade policy landscape in the UK. The UK Trade and Business Commission recommended that the Board should have a wide remit of work in which to engage. 

In particular the UKTBC recommend that an independent Board of Trade would;

a) Produce an annual trade report

b) Determine the impacts of trade agreements

c) Collaborate with Government and Parliamentary committees

d) Conduct an annual stakeholder survey .

Witnesses

Panel 1: Food inflation; the UK Government’s response to the cost of living crisis; and the challenges that UK consumers are facing

• Anna Taylor, Executive Director, The Food Foundation

• James Withers, Chief Executive, Food and Drink Scotland

Panel 2: The new UK Food Strategy; the impact it will have on trade; and the challenges that UK Agricultural and Horticultural sectors are facing

• Professor Timothy Lang, Emeritus Professor of Food Policy, City University London’s Centre for Food Policy

• Richard Griffiths, Chief Executive, British Poultry Council

• Phil Hambling, Head of Food and Farming, National Farmers’ Union