London is a preeminent international city with a vibrant economy that recovered well from the 2008 banking crisis. The city is prosperous and the population diverse and they voted strongly to remain in the European Union. Whatever the outcome of the Brexit negotiations, London is likely to remain successful, but the necessary adjustments and problems to be overcome are not yet clear. Rajesh Agrawal, an Indian born entrepreneur and successful business person, will give his views, in his capacity as Deputy Mayor of London for Business, on what needs to be done to ensure that 2019 is a great year for London Business.

The aftermath of the 2008 banking crisis followed by Brexit uncertainty have hampered UK economic activity for a decade during which productivity and real wage growth have stalled and the gap between the prosperity of London and the southeast, and the rest of the country, has grown. Labour’s plans to reinvigorate the economy include a greater use of fiscal policy to invest directly in infrastructure and skills, the establishment of a national investment bank, and the extension of public ownership in some industries. Peter Dowd MP, Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, will outline key points of these policies and discuss their implications.

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The dominance of hydrocarbons as an energy source is coming to an end. There are increasingly good ways to capture renewable energy from unlimited natural sources such as solar radiation, wind, and geothermal rocks. But realising the full potential of this development requires an immense change to the UK and world energy infrastructure. Dr Alan Whitehead MP, Labour’s Shadow Energy Minister will discuss the policy implications for the UK and particularly how we should manage the transition to electric power in UK surface transport, and where alternative fuels such as hydrogen fit into the picture.

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The Public Accounts Committee is outspoken and hyperactive. It has a long list of current inquiries including the interface between health and social care, Universal Credit, the Brexit financial settlement, the performance of HMRC, the collapse of Carillion and many more. Come and hear Meg Hillier MP, Chair of the committee outline and discuss the most urgent issues.

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At the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, Scotland voted to remain in the UK against the policy of the ruling SNP party. At the 2016 EU referendum, in which the UK as a whole voted to leave the EU, Scotland voted to remain. Although the UK is Scotland’s largest trade partner, Scotland has important trade and cultural links with mainland Europe. Post Brexit, Scotland not only faces the trade upheaval and uncertainty that applies to the whole UK but also a tug of loyalties between the UK and the EU. Stewart Hosie MP, the Shadow SNP Spokesperson for Trade and a member of the Treasury Select Committee will outline and discuss SNP thinking on these issues.

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The prosperity of the modern world has been built on innovation and trade. Whatever happens about Brexit, it is certain that the UK will need to compete and innovate as never before. None of the leading world economic powers leaves their industrial success to plain vanilla financial and economic policies. The UK Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has the role of leading the government’s actions to help bring together, at a sectorial level, research, innovation, and investment, and create an environment of success. Rebecca Long Bailey MP will discuss her views on making BEIS a fleet-footed partner of business and academia to create a modern Innovation State.

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