Lord Brittan announced as trade adviser to the Prime Minister
The Prime Minister has appointed Lord Brittan as a trade adviser.
Lord Brittan has been appointed as a trade adviser to the Prime Minister helping to lead a cross-government effort to develop and drive forward an ambitious trade agenda.
He will work closely with ministers across the government to define an overarching trade and investment strategy, and his work will help shape and inform a forthcoming White Paper on trade to be launched by Business Secretary Vince Cable.
His work will involve him in:
- developing the UK’s strategy for helping to complete the Doha round and improving the global trade architecture
- working through the EU to help deliver regional and bilateral Free Trade Agreements which support and complement the multilateral regime and, where appropriate, deliver our development objectives
- tackling trade bureaucracy in the UK, including bilateral, EU and multilateral trade facilitation and aid for trade activities
- helping to develop the UK’s bilateral trade and investment strategy, so the UK improves its market share in the fastest growing economies
- shaping the UK strategy on investment agreements, now an EU competence under the Lisbon Treaty
Prime Minister David Cameron said:
I am delighted that Lord Brittan will bring his unrivalled experience and know-how to what is one of the most important issues we face - to drive forward our ambitious trade agenda.
As we come out of recession it is crucial that we demonstrate that the British economy is open for trade, open for investment and open for business. Crucial not just for our economic growth and the jobs it will create but also to help some of the poorest countries in the world develop too.
Lord Brittan said:
Removing trade barriers and stimulating investment is crucial for our national prosperity. To help work out how this can best be achieved, both nationally and internationally, is an immensely exciting challenge, I am honoured and delighted to be asked to take this on.
Notes to editors
1. Lord Brittan of Spennithorne QC was a Member of Parliament from 1974 to 1988. He served as Minister of State at the Home Office, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Home Secretary and Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in Mrs Thatcher’s government. From 1989 to 1999 he was a member of the European Commission, and became Vice President as well as Commissioner responsible for International Trade. Since 2000 he has been Vice Chairman of UBS Investment Bank.
2. Lord Brittan will take up his position in September for a 6-month period.
3. Lord Brittan will take a 6-month leave of absence from UBS. As such he will be stepping down from all his responsibilities to the bank during that time.