The bosses of some of Britain's biggest companies have been called to talks with senior ministers about Europe's new constitutional treaty amid growing anxiety within government that they are losing the battle for business hearts and minds.

About 30 top officials from FTSE 100 companies are to meet Jack Straw, the foreign secretary, and Patricia Hewitt, trade and industry secretary, behind closed doors at the Foreign Office next week. The group will include chief executives and other boardroom representatives.