Recommendation 11

In 2018, the Government announced its export strategy and an ambition to raise exports as a proportion of GDP from 30% to 35%.24 This committee has recently highlighted how important it is for any public body to be clear about and accountable for what it is trying to achieve, and the criteria it will use to judge whether it is being successful. Furthermore, we emphasised the need for performance information that helps public bodies understand how effective they are and what impact they are having, so they can judge progress and take corrective action when they are not on track.25 However, the Government has not set a timescale for achieving its export growth ambition, and the 35% 16 Q 54 17 Q 24 18 Q 70 19 Q 67 20 Qq 40, 41 21 C&AG’s Report, para 2.14. 22 Federation of Small Businesses written evidence to the Public Accounts Committee inquiry into Government support for UK exporters, 11 September 2020, para 11 23 Q 69 24 C&AG’s Report, para 13 25 Committee of Public Accounts, 107th Report, 2017–19, Consumer Protection, 12 July 2019, HC 1752 12 Government support for UK exporters target is dependent on contributions from other parties including independent efforts by UK industry.26 In our view, the measure is not satisfactory because it can also be affected by fluctuations in GDP.27