Lord Brittan announced as trade advisor to the Prime Minister

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.”

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."

Secretary of State for Business, Vince Cable, has today welcomed the appointment of Lord Brittan as trade adviser to the Prime Minister. He said:

“Lord Brittan will help develop the agenda to promote the UK as a great trading nation, wanting to see free trade and open markets around the world. He will provide valuable insight as we develop an overarching trade and investment strategy across Government.”