17/11/2004

Blair outlines five-year plan for DTI

Technology and innovation are at the heart of the Department for Trade and Industry's (DTI) five-year plan outlined by the Prime Minister today.

The plan focuses on how the UK will develop a strong, modern knowledge-based economy, which can meet the challenges posed by rapidly emerging economies and new technologies. It also outlines the need to transform the DTI to meet this new challenge.

Mr Blair said: "My message today - and the message of the new DTI 'five-year programme' - is that sustained success is within our grasp."

The plan sets out how Britain will move forward in science and technology, skills, business regulation and Europe.

The Prime Minister said that the new industrial policy needs a new DTI.

"A Department that is transformed not a Department that is abolished as some are wrongly advocating," he said.

The core of the department will have fewer than 4,000 people by 2008 to allow it to concentrate on science and innovation.

Mr Blair said in conclusion: "It has strengthened our competition regime and taken the politicians out of it. It's streamlined its business support products from an incomprehensible array of more than a 100 to 10. It is enhancing its capacity to act as the voice of business in Whitehall."

(gmcg)

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