Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Fifty-Sixth Report - Supporting investment into the UK
Public Accounts Committee
HC 996
Published 9 June 2023
Conclusions (4)
5
Conclusion
Rejected
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 …
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.
19
Conclusion
Rejected
Potential investors’ first contact with the Department is often with staff in overseas posts. The Department’s network of more than 90 overseas posts across nine geographical 35 C&AG’s Report, para 3.9 36 C&AG’s Report, Figure 2 and Figure 14 37 C&AG’s Report, Figure 13 38 Qq 26–27 39 Q 27 …
Government Response Summary
The government disagrees with the Committee's concern, stating that senior FCDO leaders already play an important role and describing existing training programmes like the Investment Academy, pre-posting training, and access to Trade Faculty learning.
20
Conclusion
Rejected
We are concerned that staff in overseas posts may have varying levels of knowledge and expertise. We asked the Department about the training available for overseas staff and how the Department is involved in framing the training.50 The Department said that it has developed training programmes to increase learning, skills …
Government Response Summary
The government disagrees with the Committee's concern, stating that senior FCDO leaders already play an important role and describing existing training programmes like the Investment Academy, pre-posting training, and access to Trade Faculty learning.
21
Conclusion
Rejected
Support for investment may not be a priority among embassies’ other responsibilities, particularly in smaller posts where there are only one or two investment deals each year. We asked the Department whether all embassies are focused on investment. The Department told us that each overseas post produces a country plan …
Government Response Summary
The government disagrees with the conclusion that support for investment may not be a priority for embassies. It explains that investment priorities are aligned and targets agreed annually with HM Trade Commissioners, supported by comprehensive training for overseas staff.