While Westminster awaits the new UK Burnham administration with bated breath, the Industry Forum and Business with Europe held a meeting in central London on the topic of ‘How can Europe compete with US innovation.’ Policies of the Trump administration, and the military threat from Russia, both point to an urgent need for Europe to raise its game in the tech industries. The scope of this challenge is vast but the view from members and guests was that an urgent first step is to address the UK regulatory burden caused partially by Brexit and partially by the policies and regulations adopted by the EU. The Industry Forum is conducting a short research project on this subject over the Summer and we will have a discussion paper ready for the Autumn when we hope to hold further, more detailed meetings in conjunction with Business with Europe.

The Industry Forum and Business with Europe held a productive meeting to discuss UK-EU reset progress and priorities prior to the next summit meeting, likely in July 2026. It is clear that the relationship between the UK and the EU has dramatically improved since the election of the UK Labour government. The discussion was led by Trevor Greetham and Nick Harvey CEO of European Movement UK also participated. Useful progress to improve trade is being made in a number of sectors but the UK government’s red lines mean that dramatic and rapid improvements are unlikely. This will make it difficult for the government to reduce the extra Civil Service staff costs incurred to cope with Brexit, and there will be a similar cost burden for private sectors. For example, chemical industries have had to employ hundreds of extra chemists to deal with post Brexit regulations and many SMEs have had to accept the costs of increased regulation, or cease trading with EU customers. Hopefully, such economic considerations, and the transformed and more threatening geopolitical environment since 2016 will give rise to a more fundamental revision of the UK-EU relationship.

The Industry Forum held an event in April at RIA's London offices titled 'An integrated plan for the UK road and rail networks'.

Chair of the Transport Select Committee, Ruth Cadbury MP, led a roundtable discussion on a range of topics, including: the recent publication 'Better Connected: A Strategy for Integrated Transport'; how Great British Railways will bring together track, train and property; and the opportunities available to create a more joined-up network.

Doom mongering about politics and the world was suspended for a few hours this week for the Industry Forum annual spring reception, at the House of Commons. The keynote speaker was Emily Darlington MP for Milton Keynes and a member of Dame Chi Onwurah’s Select Committee for Science, Innovation and Technology. Emily, taking time off from electoral campaigning, was in buoyant form promoting the high tech, city of Milton Keynes and the promise of science and technology for the UK. The event was sponsored by the leading UK telecoms company, newly merged VodafoneThree. George Robinson, Head of Government Affairs at VodafoneThree welcomed guests and said a few cheerful words about the progress of the merger. It is clear that a strong digital communications infrastructure can help meet the government’s growth aims and that a big new player like VodafoneThree will help to achieve this. After the formalities, the reception turned into a party with members, business guests, diplomats and academics networking and making new contacts in the way that they have for done since the Industry Forum was set up 33 years ago.

The Industry Forum were delighted to welcome Dame Angela Eagle, Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, to lead a roundtable on ‘Increasing trade in plants, agricultural products, food and drink.’ This is vital for the government’s overall plans to increase growth, and also vital for the sectors concerned. The meeting was sponsored by the Horticultural Trades Association whose CEO, Fran Barnes opened the meeting by outlining the significant issues facing HTA members as a result of the UK’s position outside the EU, our largest market. With industry specialists, major retailers and some EU diplomats present, the meeting ranged widely over the issues faced by many product sectors. It was clear that the government shares the objectives of business and is working as fast as possible to cover the many legislative changes and other practical steps needed to bring the UK and EU into better alignment, and reduce the serious trade frictions and unnecessary costs caused by Brexit.

Despite a broken wrist, the Minister for Nature, Mary Creagh CBE MP was in sparkling form leading a packed Industry Forum round table. Wes Ball, Senior VP at the host, Edelman welcomed guests and Rod Dowler introduced the topic ‘Representing Nature and Business in a circular economy.’ There is a widespread awareness of the shortsightedness of ignoring the impact of business activities on nature, but it is an enormous task to align manufacturing, packaging, distribution and reuse of materials in way that makes commercial and environmental sense. Nevertheless, the government has already made considerable progress on specific issues such as standardisation of recycling classifications, a deposit return scheme for drinks bottles and cans, creation of the Western Forest, near Bristol and the release into the wild of the first beavers in the UK for 300 years; it has ambitions to do much more to help businesses and consumers move towards a circular economy. Among the wide variety of businesses present there was considerable enthusiasm for the government’s plans. Discussion focussed on the many timetabling and implementation issues that inevitably arise. Such is the interest in this complex topic that we hope to return to it later in the year.