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The Industry Forum Ltd, 20 St Andrew Street, EC4A 3AG, London
info@industry-forum.org
+44 (0)20 7434 0090
The Industry Forum Ltd, 20 St Andrew Street, EC4A 3AG, London
  • Straight talking between business and policymakers since 1993

  • Straight talking between business and policymakers since 1993

  • Straight talking between business and policymakers since 1993

  • Straight talking between business and policymakers since 1993

Upcoming events

Confirmed
In planning
Industry Forum Spring Reception
Our Spring Reception this year will be an opportunity to meet Ministers and backbenchers, other members of the Industry Forum community and guests including the researchers, consultants and advisers who…
Event details
Current issues for UK financial services and markets
UK financial services and markets currently face an unprecedented set of challenges and opportunities. The sweeping, and erratic tariff policies introduced by the United States in April 2025 are causing…
Event details
Fixing the skills crisis
The skills crisis is absolutely at the top of the agenda for Industry Forum members. Changes in immigration policies and inadequate education and skills training programmes are causing shortages in…
Event details
all upcoming events
Fixing the skills crisis
Date:
Event location:
Central London
Host:
Checkatrade
Speaker:
The Rt Hon Baroness (Jacqui) Smith of Malvern
The skills crisis is absolutely at the top of the agenda for Industry Forum members. Changes in immigration policies and inadequate education and skills training programmes are causing shortages in sectors including agriculture, healthcare, plumbing, programming and the leisure industries. This is currently hampering businesses and will be a restraint on growth. The Rt Hon […]
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Delivering the homes that the UK desperately needs
Date:
06/10/2025
Event location:
Central London
Host:
TBC
Speaker:
Florence Eshalomi MP
Adequate housing is essential for the social and economic functioning of a nation. Nevertheless, the UK suffers from a serious shortage of housing to buy or to rent at affordable prices, and this adversely affects living standards and labour mobility. After the destruction of WW2, the country had a continuous and successful house building programme. […]
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Fixing the skills crisis
Date:
16/06/2025
Event location:
Central London
Host:
Checkatrade
Speaker:
Rt Hon Baroness Jacqui Smith
The skills crisis is absolutely at the top of the agenda for Industry Forum members. Changes in immigration policies and inadequate education and skills training programmes are causing shortages in sectors including agriculture, healthcare, plumbing, programming and the leisure industries. This is currently hampering businesses and will be a restraint on growth. The Rt Hon […]
Read More
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Editorial comments

A fork in the road

Published:
08-04-2025

The media are on fire with speculation about the consequences of Donald Trump's sweeping new tariffs which echo disastrous US policies of the 1930s. These tariffs have been imposed with little or no consultation and with threats of escalation in the event of countermeasures. The examples of Canada, Germany and Taiwan show no recognition of past cooperation, support and friendship; the example of Russia show no consequences for bad behaviour. Europe as a whole is characterised as a bunch of spongers exploiting US generosity. The EU in particular is singled out as an arch-exploiter. This approach breaks trust and commitments established over decades and even if compromises on reduced tariffs are agreed quickly, trust will take much longer to restore. Nevertheless, and despite big risks, this dramatic fork in the road offers important options for the rest of the world, and some major opportunities. (more…)

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Editorial comments

A fork in the road

Published:
08-04-2025

The media are on fire with speculation about the consequences of Donald Trump's sweeping new tariffs which echo disastrous US policies of the 1930s. These tariffs have been imposed with little or no consultation and with threats of escalation in the event of countermeasures. The examples of Canada, Germany and Taiwan show no recognition of past cooperation, support and friendship; the example of Russia show no consequences for bad behaviour. Europe as a whole is characterised as a bunch of spongers exploiting US generosity. The EU in particular is singled out as an arch-exploiter. This approach breaks trust and commitments established over decades and even if compromises on reduced tariffs are agreed quickly, trust will take much longer to restore. Nevertheless, and despite big risks, this dramatic fork in the road offers important options for the rest of the world, and some major opportunities. (more…)

1 12

News & Publications

News & Views
Our publications
October 2024 Newsletter
Details of upcoming and recent events in the Industry Forum October Newsletter. Industry Forum October 2024 Newsletter 
Read now
September 2024 Newsletter
It's been an eventful September. Find out more in the Industry Forum September Newsletter. Industry Forum September 2024 Newsletter   
Read now
July 2024 Newsletter
Get the latest events information in the Industry Forum July Newsletter. Industry Forum July 2024 Newsletter 
Read now
news archive
Did the conference speeches reveal an economic vision for the UK?
In his party conference speech, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt painted a rosy picture of our future leadership in technology sectors. His words didn’t match the scale of the economic challenge. In…
Read now
UK economic prospects for 2022 and beyond
At the 25 November Industry Forum virtual roundtable, Andrew Smith, Chief Economist for the Industry Forum reviewed the prospects for the UK economy in 2022 in the light of the Chancellor's Autumn…
Read now
Paying for the pandemic - recovery shouldn’t mean Austerity 2
At the 17 March Industry Forum virtual roundtable, IIPP Economist Josh Ryan-Collins analysed the case for an ambitious recovery plan to avoid Austerity 2. Open presentation For slides, please email jwyer@industry-forum.org
Read now
all publications

Events in planning

SEE what's coming
Could reform of consumer credit regulation support higher growth?
Policy priorities for the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan
Working with the new US administration
Improving our digital infrastructure would be a win/win for businesses and the economy
Policy priorities for safe and sustainable, high-quality buildings
An integrated plan for the UK road and rail networks
Achieving a new positive relationship with Europe
Future UK environment and climate policy, and business engagement
Delivering real benefits from science, innovation and technology
Funding radical change

Recent events

Creating opportunity in the UK
Recently, Sarah Smith MP, Keir Starmer’s ‘Opportunity Mission Champion’, led a broad ranging Industry Forum roundtable on ‘Creating Opportunity in the UK.’ The meeting was…
Event details
Delivering the Growth Mission
The Industry Forum was delighted to welcome Labour’s National Growth Champion, Daniel Tomlinson, to lead a roundtable on ‘Delivering the Growth Mission.’ The meeting was…
Event details
Budget 2024 - the turning point?
Rachel Reeves’ budget on the 30th October, promises to be a turning point for UK economic fortunes. To discuss, not just the direct fiscal implications,…
Event details
events archive
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