C. Competitive Modern Markets

CWP Ref

COMMITMENTS/
CONTACTS

MILESTONES

TARGET DATES

4.4

General Aim: Maintain the UK’s position as one of the world’s most open economies

To be achieved by means of the specific commitments listed below. Progress (e.g. on measures of the UK’s relative openness) will be monitored as part of the work on the Competitiveness Index.

C1

4.6

Provide the OFT with an extra £15 million over three years to enforce the new Competition Act effectively.

Approve budgets.

Achieved

C2

4.7

Consult on the case for reform of the mergers regime.
Contact:
Aileen Armstrong, CP, Competition Policy Directorate, DTI
Tel: 020 7215 5016
e-mail: aileen.armstrong@dti.gov.uk

1. Publish a consultation document.

Achieved

2. Analyse responses.

Achieved

3. Announce outcome of review.

Achieved

C3

4.28

Implement an action plan to modernise the intellectual property rights system.
Contact:

Julyan Elbro

julyan.elbro@patent.gov.uk

or Valerie Waters

valerie.waters@patent.gov.uk

Patent Office

Tel: 01633-814553

1. Agree EC Directive on copyright in the information society.

Achieved

2. Agree EC Directive on stronger protection for software-related inventions.

Ongoing

3. Introduce a worldwide system for electronic trading in IPR.

2005

4. Review the impact of fees charged by the UK Patent Office

Achieved

5. Consult on proposals to reduce the tax compliance costs of IPR transactions
- end of consultation.

Achieved

6. Reform the civil law system for IPR litigation
- implement Changes to Rules concerning litigation before the Patent Office;

Achieved

7. Push for an EC patent which is affordable and easy to enforce. The European Commission to produce proposal for Council Regulation creating unitary EC patent system.

Ongoing

8. Ensure that EU harmonisation of "second tier" or "petty patent" benefits UK firms, particularly small business.
Adopt Directive.

The Commission have abandoned this proposal

9. Ratify the international treaties on copyright agreed in the World Intellectual Property Organisation.
- agree EC Copyright Directive
- consult on changes needed to UK law to comply with the Treaties which are not dealt with by the Directive

Achieved

10. Review how IPRs can be used to maximise the value we get from publicly- funded research

Achieved

C4

4.8

Make the removal of remaining barriers to trade a priority in future international trade negotiations.
Contact:
European and World Trade  Directorate, DTI
Tel: 020 7215 4579

1. Work to secure international consensus for a multilateral, comprehensive new Round of trade liberalisation negotiations.

Achieved

2. Work to secure international consensus for meaningful reform to address the problems of decision-making in and public concern about WTO as highlighted at Seattle.

Acheived

C5

4.10

Implement 98% of Single Market measures by the end of 2000.
Contact:
Ian Catlow, European Policy Directorate, DTI
Tel: 020 7215 4718
e-mail: ian.catlow@dti.gov.uk

Monitor progress towards implementation of Single Market Directives on a quarterly basis. Where problems are identified, DTI will follow up with the lead Department concerned.

Achieved

C6

4.11

Provide practical help to business as the euro is introduced.
Contact:
John Joshua, HM Treasury
Tel: 020 7270 5009
e-mail:
john.joshua@hm-treasury.gov.uk

1. Continue to provide practical support and training at local venues for business intermediaries so that SMEs get good quality, practical information on the implications of the euro.

Achieved

2. Publish 'Working with the Euro'

Achieved

3. Publish outline National Changeover Plan by February 1999.

Achieved

4. Make a CD-Rom on EMU available to help businesses prepare.

Achieved

5. Consult on proposals to use deregulation order-making power to allow share capital to be redenominated in euros.

Achieved

6. Make it possible for agri-traders to receive grants in euros should they wish to do so.

Achieved

C7

4.34

Publish a consultation document outlining a framework strategy for the major review of company law early in 1999.
Contact:
Edwin James, Company Law and Investigations Directorate, DTI
Tel: 020 7215 0219
e-mail: edwin.james@lond02.dti.gov.uk

1. Publish the consultation document by February 1999.

Achieved

2. The final report from the Review .

Achieved

3. Legislation in the next Parliament.

Work in progress to introduce a Bill in the 2002/3 session when Parliamentary time allows.

C8

4.35

Introduce legislation to improve the regulation of financial services.
Contact:
Justin Wray, HM Treasury
Tel: 020 7270 4895
e-mail:mailto:justin.wray@hm-treasury.gov.uk

1. Introduce legislation to replace existing regulators with the Financial Services Authority.

Achieved

C9

4.37

Publish a comprehensive consumer strategy that will improve advice to consumers on their rights and be more effective in putting rogue traders out of business.
Contact:
Hilary Smith, Consumer Affairs
Directorate, DTI
Tel: 020 7215 6533
e-mail: hilary.smith@dti.gov.uk

1. Develop proposals in consultation with partners for initiatives to improve advice and information to consumers, enhance redress mechanisms, and improve consistency and effectiveness of enforcement.

Achieved

2. Publish final proposals, possibly in form of a White Paper.

Achieved

3. Issue a consultation paper on a draft Consumer Bill to amend the Fair Trading Act.

In July 1999 the Government published the consumer White Paper "modern markets: confident consumers". The White Paper was drawn up in the closest consultation with consumer organisations, business and local authorities. It set out a comprehensive consumer strategy making clear that that a fair deal for consumers and prosperity go hand in hand. Since then the Government has implemented much of the White Paper agenda. But some elements of the White Paper agenda required primary legislation. These will be given effect through the Enterprise Act 2002. Key consumer provisions in the Act include: giving enforcement authorities wider powers to act against traders who do not comply with their legal obligations to consumers; enabling the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to introduce a new regime for approving business-to-consumer codes of practice; requiring the OFT to respond in a set timescale to 'super-complaints' from designated consumer bodies; and replacing the office of the Director General of Fair Trading with a statutory authority to be known as the OFT which will be a significant depersonalisation of competition and consumer legislation.

Achieved

C10

4.29

Review with the British Standards Institution (BSI) what can be done to accelerate standards setting.
Contact:
Ross Howie, Technology and Standards Directorate, DTI
Tel: 020 7215 1568
e-mail: ross.howie@tidv.dti.gov.uk

1. Agree with BSI a work programme for identifying ways to speed up the national standards-making process, including through the use of information technologies. Progress to be monitored quarterly.

Achieved

2. Agree with BSI objectives and a work programme for speeding up the standards making process in European and international standards making bodies.

Achieved

3. Review with BSI how lessons learnt in the development of informal industry standards could be applied to the formal standard-making systems.

Achieved

C11

4.32

Ask the Accounting Standards Board, (ASB) in consultation with others, to look at the scope for better guidance on disclosure of intangible assets.
Contact:

 
Dawn Hutchinson

Corporate Law and Governance

DTI

Tel:  020 7215 0212

email:

Dawn.Hutchinson@dti.gsi.gov.uk

1. Request that ASB look at scope for guidance on disclosure and include project on their annual work-plan.

Achieved

2. ASB to consult the accountancy profession on general issues.

Achieved

3. ASB begin work with Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) in light of initial responses from profession.

Achieved

4. Initial findings and draft guidance to be issued by ASB/ICAEW along with proposals for any further work

A statement on the Operating and Financial Review (OFR) which contains commentary on intangible assets was issued by the ASB in January 2003.  Guidance on preparing an OFR was published by the ICAEW in January 2003.

Achieved

(Best Practice) Tony Pedrotti, DTI, Innovation Unit
Tel: 020 7215 6639,
email: tony.pedrotti@tidv.dti.gov.uk

DTI to launch Best Practice programme to identify and disseminate best practice for companies of all sizes in assessing the strengths and weaknesses of their intangible assets.

1. Develop and pilot questionnaires to elicit and transfer best practice

Achieved

2. Interview relevant companies in the UK and overseas.

Achieved

3. Produce and disseminate a "How to" guide.

Taken forward as part of the intangibles research.

(measurement of intangibles)
Chris Bryant, IPS/DTI
Tel: 020 7215 1280
e-mail: chris.bryant@tidv.dti.gov.uk

DTI to assess scope for a Research Programme: Measurement Of Intangible Investment for longer term research.

1. Award contract for scoping study.

Achieved

2. Produce scoping study report.

Achieved

3. Prepare ROAME statement and submit to the IS programme and resources committee.

Achieved

4. Appoint a programme director/contractor to consult researchers and potential co-funders and agree a draft programme.

Achieved

5. Issue call for tenders for research projects.

Achieved

6. Select winning projects.

The DTI is contributing £500k to the ESRC Evolution of Business Knowledge Programme to fund a research projects on Intangibles. This offers economies of scale and scope not available to a stand alone DTI research programme of the same size. The ESRC Commissioning Panel, on which DTI is represented, which selects the projects to be supported is just now finishing its work. The DTI Innovation Unit is continuing to work with Business on the adoption of best practice in the recording and management of intangibles.

Achieved

Last updated: Friday 17^th January 2003