Liam Fox mocked for spending £107,000 on Brexit podcast only downloaded by 8,400 people

Six-episode series designed to encourage British firms to export after Brexit

Liam Fox has been mocked after his department spent some £107,000 on a podcast series that was only downloaded 8,400 times.

The Department for International Trade (DIT)'s "Local to Global" programme, hosted by Apprentice star Nick Hewer, was designed to encourage British firms to export after Brexit, using a blend of "personal stories and memorable moments".

However it has emerged that the six-episode series only racked up 8,398 downloads, costing the taxpayer around £12.70 per listen.

Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran, who uncovered the figures through a parliamentary question, told the Daily Mirror: “This vanity project is a complete waste of money.

"A bit Like Liam Fox’s trade deals the government has quite simply poured money down the drain. Wherever you look the Conservatives have made a terrible mess out Brexit , this is the cherry on the cake

“Rather than wasting its time on poorly executed propaganda projects the Government should be spending money on our struggling public services.”

Trade minister Graham Stuart revealed there have been "a total of 8,398 downloads/listens of the ‘Local to Global’ podcast" as of 10am on 22 February, with a total production and promotion cost of approximately £107,000.

The podcast included interviews with Brigette Bard, who founded the first HIV self-test kit BioSure, and Alex Johnson, head of communications at clean tech firm Pavegen.

Brexiteers have long argued that the ability to strike independent trade deals is one of the key benefits of leaving the EU.

However Dr Fox, the international trade secretary, admitted last month that several key trade deals, including one with Japan, will not be ready to be rolled over in time for exit day.

A DIT spokesman said: “The Exporting is GREAT campaign aims to inspire UK companies to start exporting or to grow their exports. DIT estimates that 400,000 businesses believe they could export, but don’t, while demand for British expertise and goods is only growing.

“Podcasts are an excellent way to engage with current and potential exporters by telling the stories of those who have experience to share. The podcast reached 6th in the UK iTunes business charts, demonstrating real interest amongst business audiences.

“In 2017, more than 100,000 businesses took steps towards exporting as a result of the campaign, part of the government’s commitment to promote a culture of exporting – a key pillar of the Export Strategy which aims to rise exports as a proportion of GDP from 30 to 35 percent.