The Department of Trade and Industry's decision to spend £600,000 renaming its export division has been criticised by business and MPs.

The rebranding will see Trade Partners UK renamed as UK Trade and Investment.

Tim Yeo, shadow trade and industry secretary, said: "It is typical of this government. Rather than make something better they waste hundreds of thousands of pounds repackaging the old offering."

Robert Ettinger, director of Ettinger, one of Britain's major exporters, said: "Clearly there is no need whatsoever to spend all this money on a name change. It is a complete waste of money and it reeks of officials seeking to justify their existence simply by making changes."