There are many issues currently facing the UK concerning transport. These relate to rail ownership and electrification, outsourcing risks in the light of the Carillion collapse, the expansion of Heathrow, the transition to renewable energy for road vehicles, the balance of regional investment in transport infrastructure, air pollution, and measures to encourage and safeguard cycling. All of these have business implications at a time when there is a need raise our economic game to cope with Brexit. Lilian Greenwood MP, Chair of the Transport Select Committee, will give her views on such topics and lead a discussion about what needs to be done.

The UK construction industry has much about which to be proud but its image continues to be damaged by media stories of incompetent builders, dissatisfied buyers of new build homes and, recently, the serious questions raised by the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety set up in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy. This meeting will discuss the practicalities and benefits of implementing new proposals for licensing builders from the Federation of Master Builders. Speakers who will kick-off the discussion are:

· Brian Berry – CEO of Federation of Master Builders

· Rebecca Long Bailey MP - Shadow Business Energy and Industrial Strategy Minister

· Melissa Dowler – Director, Bell Phillips, Architects.

Come and join the meeting to add your expertise and experience to the discussion.

Many business people are concerned about the unclear objectives and challenging timetable of the current Brexit negotiations. Uncertainty about future trading arrangements with the EU, and the speed with which trade with non-EU countries can realistically be increased, affect planning for investment and staff recruitment and deployment. If transition does not happen in a timely and smooth fashion it could adversely impact individual companies and the UK economy as a whole. Labour’s policies on Brexit differ from those of the Government, particularly in respect of the Customs Union. Barry Gardiner MP, Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade, will discuss the difficulties faced by businesses and ideas for safeguarding international trade through the transition period and beyond.

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The full implications for the UK of Brexit and the Trump era are not yet clear. How issues of our future relationships with the European Union, the United States, China, India and other nations are resolved will have a bearing on our ability to make beneficial and timely trade arrangements. This has great significance for businesses operating in the UK that are currently faced with potentially major changes in trade patterns affecting their longterm investment decisions. Military alliances will, hopefully, remain stable despite Brexit although defence companies could find that access to markets, supply chains, and development partnerships are affected. Tom Tugendhat MBE MP, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee will discuss his views of such issues and how they may unfold.

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The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is making preparations to ensure that it can continue to protect public and animal health in the EU after the UK leaves on 30 March 2019. One of the consequences of Brexit is that the EMA will relocate to Amsterdam in the Netherlands, where it plans to be operational by 30 March 2019. The EMA is working on the assumption that the UK will become a 'third country' as of 30 March 2019. This unprecedented change raises a number of concerns for UK healthcare and supplier industries including whether the UK will be ready to take over the role of the EMA in the UK, the timely availability of new medicines, potential border issues for urgently required medicines, harmonisation of standards, pricing issues and more. Our expert panel will comment on and discuss some of the political, legal, and healthcare pitfalls that may arise and how they might be addressed.

Speakers:

· John Cassels – Partner, Fieldfisher LLP

· Dr Paul Willimas MP - Member of the Health and Social Care Select Committee

· Emma Du Four – Head of International Regulatory Policy and Intelligence, AbbVie, and Vice-Chair, Regulatory Affairs Advisory Committee, BioIndustry Association

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Public and political awareness of the impact of digital technologies has recently reached new peaks. Key concerns include internet security, child safety, political manipulation, fake news, and industry disruption in the media and entertainment sectors. In addition, business and the public are anxious for the UK to get the enabling benefits of fast broadband and a comprehensive and high capacity mobile comms infrastructure as rapidly as possible. The Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee has the exciting and possibly daunting role of overseeing these changes for the House of Commons. Damian Collins MP, Chair of the Select Committee, will comment on top topics from their current agenda and lead a discussion.

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