The Department of Trade and Industry values the views of business, consumer groups and the public. We know that we will get it right delivering policy if we have consulted effectively.

The principal benefits of consultations are:

• allows Government to tap the widest possible source of information possible and thus improve the quality of decisions reached
• alerts the DTI to any concerns and issues not picked up through existing evidence
• helps to monitor existing policy and decide whether changes are needed

The DTI seeks views on a range of proposals and existing policies, both through formal written consultations and through informal contact and discussion. We use a variety of consultation methods to ensure participation from a diversity of individuals and organisations/business.

We want your views

We want to give every opportunity for people to influence the development of DTI policy. When planning who to send a consultation, we target those who we believe will be affected by the proposals and who have experience of the particular topic. We also publicise our consultations to allow anyone who has not been contacted to find out about the consultation and make a response.

Better regulation

The DTI is particularly keen to hear views about existing legislation and where it could be removed or simplified. We also want suggestions for alternative ways to implement policies, other than through regulations. Please contact Jenny Thomas, Head of the DTI’s Better Regulation Team by email.

When replying to a consultation

• say who you are. State whether you are commenting as a private citizen, representing other citizens, or writing on behalf of a business/organisation. If you are representing an organisation/ group of people, explain how their views were obtained.
• reply to the questions. If the consultation asks for your views on particular questions, clearly state which questions you are answering.
• provide evidence. Support your arguments with evidence or information
• suggest alternative options for the policy including alternative ways to implement the policy options
• indicate how the DTI could help business implement the proposals
• send your response as soon as possible. The earlier you submit your views, the longer the DTI has to consider them. It also helps us in our discussions in Europe and we can respond better to any unanticipated debates.
• submit a copy by email if possible, even if your organisation always submits paper responses
• say if you want information in your response kept confidential. Your response may be made public by the DTI. If you do not want all or part of your response or name made public, please state this clearly in the response. Any confidentiality disclaimer that may be generated by your organisation’s IT system or included as a general statement in your fax cover sheet will be taken to apply only to information in your response for which confidentiality has been requested.

Feedback

Once the consultation deadline has passed and we have analysed the responses, we will put a copy of our response on the DTI website. We aim to do this within three months of the date the consultation closed.

Complaints

DTI follows the Cabinet Office code of practice on consultations

The DTI is striving to improve its consultation process to ensure the best policy outcomes. If you have any comments on our consultation processes, please email Jenny Thomas, Assistant Director, Better Policy Making at jenny.thomas@dti.gsi.gov.uk

If you have a complaint about a specific DTI consultation, contact the DTI Consultation Co-ordinator, Nick van Benschoten.