Closing the Gap - Improving Communication Between Business and Government

To mark its 25th anniversary WIG has undertaken a piece of research - ‘Closing the Gap’ - which explores for the first time the changing nature of communication between business and government over the past 25 years and provides recommendations for improvement.

At the launch of the publication on 21 October 2009 Sir Gus O’Donnell, Cabinet Secretary, commented: “This is a very useful piece of research into a subject that has huge impact but which has seen little external examination. The past 12 months can have left few in doubt of the paramount importance of good communication between business and government and I’m delighted WIG’s report indicates increasing awareness of the importance of this on all sides."

Sir John Parker, Chairman, National Grid and Anglo American commented: "As business and government work together more closely, it is crucial that they know how to have a constructive dialogue. In terms of offering useful insights for business on the importance of communicating with government and how to make that communication more effective, I would say 'Closing the Gap' is essential reading."

The research focused primarily on communication between central government/Whitehall and large business. It drew on forty interviews with past and present chief executives, senior civil servants, politicians, corporate affairs professionals, trade associations and Whitehall watchers. The research reveals that while aspects of the dialogue between business and government have improved immeasurably, some significant challenges remain.