Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 5
5
Rejected
Ensure overseas posts prioritise investment support and train staff on UK-wide opportunities
Conclusion
Overseas posts have a range of roles and priorities and may not be consistent in promoting investment across the UK. Potential investors’ first contact with the Department is often with staff in overseas posts whose role is to help them identify and access investment opportunities in the UK. But there is scope for teams in overseas posts to develop their knowledge of investment opportunities across the UK and ensure they are presented clearly to investors. We are concerned that these staff may have varying levels of knowledge and expertise, and support for inward investment Supporting investment into the UK 7 may not be a priority among their other responsibilities, particularly in countries where there are only one or two investment deals each year. The Department says that it has taken steps, such as organising conferences, to ensure that staff overseas have up-to-date knowledge, and training on investment is available to all embassy staff. HM trade commissioners are the senior officials with responsibility overseas for trade and investment and, in addition, each overseas post produces a country plan which reflects trade and investment plan objectives. Recommendation 5: The Department should work with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to ensure that supporting investment is part of the overall priorities of overseas posts and, where required, staff receive any training they need to build knowledge on strengths and opportunities for investment throughout the UK. More training could be offered to staff of both departments when they are in the UK up to and including Ambassadors between different country postings.
Government Response Summary
The government rejected the recommendation, stating it already provides comprehensive investment training through its Investment Academy for staff globally and delivers pre-posting training for senior officials, arguing these existing provisions address the committee's concerns.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
The government disagrees with the Committee’s recommendation. The department provides a core investment training offer through the Investment Academy, a programme designed to equip colleagues with the skills, knowledge and tools to deliver on the department’s investment ambitions. The programme is aimed at all colleagues in the department’s investment network, including those based in embassies and consulates general around the world. The programme is delivered virtually using Microsoft Teams, allowing colleagues based around the world to participate remotely. Programme content covers, among other topics, the foundational principles of inward investment, the key sales messages of the UK as an investment destination and the UK’s strategic priorities alongside technical skills such as account management. The Investment Academy (IA), previously FDI Academy, was launched in December 2019, running for over 3 years and delivered as part of the Ernst and Young Investment Services Team contract. From September 2023 the (IA) contract will be held by OCO Global, the average annual cost across the 5-year contract is £211,277.06. The department delivers ‘pre-posting’ training on its priority objectives to new Heads of Mission and Deputy Heads of Mission and provides updates as part of regular FCDO leadership conferences. The department and FCDO staff overseas have access to the Trade Faculty learning catalogue and the cross-government International Trade Profession syllabus to support broader and deeper skills on trade and investment.