The Industry Forum Ltd, 20 St Andrew Street, EC4A 3AG, London
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The Industry Forum Ltd, 20 St Andrew Street, EC4A 3AG, London
A stimulating first Industry Forum meeting of 2020 addressed the impossibly broad agenda of Prospects and Challenges for 2020 at FleishmanHillard this week. Andrew Smith, Economist, led on the UK economic outlook and steps to an EU trade deal, followed by Bim Ofolami MP on possibilities for transformation of the UK’s trade and industry. Matt Houlihan gave a perspective on Brexit and trade prospects from CISCO the networking giant, and Dr Alan Whitehead MP focussed attention on the big issue of the decade, possibly the century, the climate emergency.
Speakers included:
Economic outlook – Andrew Smith, Chief Economic Adviser, Industry Forum
How UK trade and industry could be transformed – Bim Afolami MP
Brexit and business - Matt Houlihan - Director, Government Affairs, Cisco
Climate emergency – Dr Alan Whitehead MP, Shadow Energy and Climate Change Minister
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The UK has an enviable science and technology heritage and track record. Despite this, we invest less than most other advanced countries in R&D and frequently fail to gain the commercial benefits of our scientific discoveries. This situation has been made worse by a decade of slow growth and the multiple uncertainties caused by Brexit. The Labour party has a range of policies aimed at tackling these issues and thereby improving economic performance and the availability of high-quality jobs. Chi Onwurah MP, Shadow BEIS Minister for Industrial Strategy, will lead a roundtable to outline Labour policies and discuss how they can be practically and effectively delivered.
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Delivering a master class in understanding the complex issues of housing, Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Rt. Hon. John Healey MP, led a lunchtime Industry Forum briefing this week at the City HQ of NHBC. Topics covered included the benefits of a more proactive government approach and an overarching framework for housing planning, greater local government involvement in housing supply and allocation, the consumer rights of renters, land availability, energy conservation, and the potential impact of Brexit on the construction industry. There was general view about the need for more real dialogue between government and industry to tackle some of the long-term issues relating to housing which, if solved, would address serious social problems and also help the economy work more effectively. There was surprise that, despite Brexit, the large numbers of civil servants working in the housing area have not succeeded in making more progress, particularly on matters arising from the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
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Bringing a refreshing can-do approach to financial issues, Shadow Treasury Minister, Dr Anneliese Dodds MP, led a comprehensive Industry Forum breakfast briefing on Labour party plans for tackling long-standing UK productivity problems. Actions on investment, skills, and regional imbalances are essential but so too is a change in Treasury attitudes to a balanced dialogue with departments, and with the UK regions. Discussion ranged across funding for new infrastructure investment, a new National Investment Bank, public ownership, and employee share ownership. The meeting was held at the new offices of British Water and Lila Thompson, CEO of British Water, outlined the key features of the British Water Industry.
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Join members of the Shadow Treasury and BEIS teams for an evening reception at the Labour Party conference.
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A modern economy needs a good physical and digital infrastructure to support business, education, leisure and social services. But, infrastructure projects usually require long term planning and investment. Policy uncertainty, policy changes and priority changes can therefore all lead to lack of action or the waste of effort and resources on cancelled or modified projects. A successful UK industrial strategy therefore ideally needs political and social consensus on priorities, investment levels and individual projects. Sir John Armitt, Chairman of the National Infrastructure Commission, will give his views on the need for greater consensus and lead a discussion on how it could be achieved.
