Secretariat

Secretariat is provided by Best for Britain. The secretariat provides support to Commissioners in their work on the Commission, and administers the Commission’s inquiries. The secretariat’s work includes providing research, administration and logistics for the Commission. Best for Britain also provides funding for the Commission and its work.

If you wish to contact the Commission, please do so through the secretariat by emailing secretariat@tradeandbusiness.uk.

Best for Britain is a non-profit campaign organisation committed to the best social, economic, environmental, and democratic outcomes for the British people. Best for Britain believes this requires re-engagement with Europe, open, internationalist policies, and cooperation with business, all parties in Parliament, and like-minded groups. Best for Britain is funded by its many thousands of supporters, including some high net worth donors and trusts.

Best for Britain’s work

Best for Britain has called for scrutiny of the UK’s new trading relationships and for UK businesses to be at the heart of Government policy-making.

Read Best for Britain’s December 2020 report ‘Towards a modern UK-EU trade relationship: Moving beyond the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement’.

Terms of Reference

These Terms of Reference were agreed by Commissioners at their meeting on 19th October 2023 to last for the 2023-24 term of the Commission.

Purpose

To make recommendations to the UK Government about but not limited to;

  • Trade deals with Europe and the world

  • Support for small and medium sized businesses across the UK

  • Regulatory frameworks and regimes both domestically and internationally

  • Strengthening diplomatic relationships with global trading partners.

Scope 

To examine and take evidence from industry and other experts on the UK-EU TCA, other matters concerning the UK-EU trading relationship, and other bilateral and multilateral trade deals and recommend improvements. 

To capture lessons learned to improve the UK Government’s future negotiations. To assess the impacts of the Government’s deals on the four nations, different sectors, notably services, manufacturing, and other factors e.g. skills, talent and environmental footprint.

To inform legislators on the impacts and make recommendations, providing evidence to parliamentary committees and inquiries related to matters and legislation within the Commission's scope.

To engage with businesses and consumers to understand the impacts of trade agreements and to educate the public on those impacts.

To put forward and advocate for policy positions in accordance with evidence gathered and to develop practical policy recommendations to advise the UK Government on implementing key improvements to the UK trading landscape.

Methodology 

The Commission and its secretariat will use secondary data and evidence from trade policy literature, as well as from reviews conducted by House of Commons and Lords Committees. Primary data will be collected from expert witnesses and stakeholder groups providing written or oral evidence to the Commission, and other evidence may be gathered through polls and focus groups.

Meetings, Events and Timelines

The Commission will hold live evidence sessions, as a general rule, once a month on a Thursday. The secretariat will notify Commissioners in advance of dates for upcoming sessions and will try to ensure that at least two weeks notice is provided ahead of a proposed session date. The Commission may, from time to time, be required to convene emergency sessions dependent on developments in the news agenda. 

Meetings will be generally held online, however the Secretariat will maintain the capacity for witnesses or commissioners who wish to attend meetings in-person. If a Commissioner wishes to join a meeting in-person, they should communicate with the Secretariat ahead of time to organise this. Some evidence sessions may occur as part of on-site meetings.

Live Evidence sessions will operate with a flexible and rotating chairing structure in which Commissioners will be invited by the Secretariat to chair sessions relevant to their area of expertise and interest.

With the frequency of live evidence sessions moving to a monthly format, it is expected that Commissioners will engage with other forums. The Commission will also undertake site visits.  

Five Commissioners will need to be present for the session to be quorate, with at least two Members of Parliament and two business commissioners to ensure balanced representation. It is understood that Commissioners will almost certainly not be able to attend every meeting, and it is expected that each Commissioner will attend Commission events (including but not limited to evidence sessions; live panel; twitter spaces) once every two months.

The same quorum applies to any annual general meeting to review the Terms of Reference. 

Duties and responsibilities

Best for Britain Limited 

  • Coordinate and convene meetings with Chairs and Commissioners, as well as drafting and circulating agendas and minutes

  • Build the Commission website, promote it, collate evidence submissions and prepare briefings for Commissioners ahead of meetings

  • Draft comms materials including press releases, press lines for Commissioners, reports for publication and recommendations to government

  • Build on the evidence received in the course of the Commission’s operation to develop policy solutions that can be put forward to Government

  • We will inform legislators on the impacts and recommendations, providing evidence to parliamentary committees and inquiries related to the Commission's scope, making recommendations and proposals  to the government on forthcoming legislation that falls within the scope.

  • We will engage with businesses and consumers to understand the impacts of trade agreements and to educate the public on those impacts.

  • Run effective social media and press coverage of the Commission’s work and build a reputable online presence

  • Proactively attend conferences and other public events on behalf of the Commission

Commissioners 

  • Regularly attend fortnightly meetings and evidence sessions organised by the Secretariat. Commissioners would not be expected to attend all meetings but would be encouraged to attend evidence sessions related to their area of interest or expertise. It is understood that commissioners will almost certainly not be able to attend every meeting, and the expectation is that each commissioner will try to attend one meeting every 6 weeks. If the Commission runs for a full year, Commissioners should attend an AGM

  • Read briefings provided by the Secretariat ahead of meetings

  • Provide insight in area of expertise in the creation of Commission recommendations and reports

  • Consider oral evidence and ask questions at inquiry hearings 

  • Review, agree and sign off on Commission outputs and recommendations to the government for submission 

  • Undertake trips to witness the impact of trade restrictions (if content to)

  • Speak to the media about Commission outputs (if content to, and following press briefing from the secretariat

  • Raise the profile of the Commission and seek to influence stakeholders across Westminster (for MPs); within their professional or academic networks  and with relevant stakeholders more broadly (for business and academic Commissioners)

  • Support the secretariat in securing high-profile witnesses for live events, panels and evidence sessions

  • For trips, Commissioners will generally be expected to cover their own travel costs unless otherwise stated. Exceptions to this will be at the discretion of the Secretariat

Co-Conveners

  • Act as the management committee of the Commission

  • Review expressions of interest to join as members of the Commission

  • Accept resignations from members of the Commission

  • Attend an AGM, if needed

  • Have an offer of first refusal for official Commissioner trips. Whether this is offered to either the political, the business or both co-convenors will be at the discretion of the Secretariat.

  • Are appointed by a vote cast by Commissioners by show of hands at an AGM, or EGM. 

Duration 

These Terms of Reference shall be in force from October 19th 2023 until 31st December 2023, in anticipation of the commencement of the latest possible regulated period of the next UK General Election.

Changes to the Terms of Reference

Changes to the Terms of Reference can be made at any quorate meeting of the Commissioners or at an annual AGM.

Procedure for joining as a member of the Commission

Expressions of interest are invited by the Co-conveners, and those wishing to join agree to follow these Terms of Reference

Procedure for resigning as a member of the Commission

Members of the Commission may resign by giving written notice to the Co-conveners.

Procedure in the event of a UK Parliamentary General Election

The Commission brings together Commissioners from all political parties and none and takes no view on the outcome of any election, nor does it take part in any election campaigning. 

In the event of a UK General Election, the Commission will generally expect to cease all its activities before or on the date the UK Parliament is dissolved. The Co-Convenors and the Secretariat may propose changes to the Commission’s schedule or planned activities prior to this date if necessary.

Within 30 days after polling day an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) will be held for all Commissioners to attend. The EGM will review the Terms of Reference, elect Co-Convenors and discuss Commission membership in light of the election results, seeking to ensure representation on the Commission from every party that takes seats in the UK Parliament.

The Commission will not conduct any election campaign activity at any time.

Financial rules

No member of the Commission may commit the association to any contract or expense without consent of the Co-conveners and the secretariat.

Dissolution of the Commission

The Commission can be dissolved by the Co-conveners, with four weeks notice given to the Commissioners.