Energy and climate change are two of the most important issues affecting the UK economy. It is no exaggeration to say that our economy is built upon energy that comes mainly from carbon-based fuels, but the emissions from these fuels are causing temperature increases in the environment that cannot be allowed to continue indefinitely. Making a safe transition to a lower carbon economy is, however, a major challenge that requires maintaining acceptable costs for consumers and industry despite geopolitical, economic and technological uncertainties. Come and hear Angus MacNeil MP, the new Chair of the Select Committee on Energy and Climate Change talk about such issues and also comment on the outcome of the 2015 Paris Climate Change Conference.

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The relationship of the United Kingdom with the European Union is entering a new and possibly decisive chapter. The UK is seeking a new settlement with its European partners through renegotiation, and will put the result to a public vote, asking in a referendum whether to stay in the European Union or to leave.

This conference is part of a project to examine different aspects of the UK’s relationship with the EU and the impact current developments will have on this relationship. Starting with a discussion of the renegotiation agenda and the referendum ahead, the conference will then discuss how the future relations between members and non-members of the Eurozone, such as the UK, can be managed. Finally there will be a debate on the democratic legitimacy of the European institutions.

This conference will offer a great opportunity to hear from expert speakers from a variety of backgrounds, and explore in depth the difficult questions facing the UK and her European partners.

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The 2010 Coalition government and the current Conservative government have pursued policies to reduce the current account deficit, cut taxation and shrink the size of the state. So far these policies have been successful in restoring a measure of growth but have not yet rebalanced the economy and increased productivity, and they have not stimulated trade with the high growth emerging markets. Such problems can be attributed to difficult external conditions or to policy choices. Come and hear Seema Malhotra MP, Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury give her views on how public expenditure for services and investment could play a key role in growing the economy and contributing to economic growth and government revenues.

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At the start of 2016, the UK economy is facing multiple uncertainties. The largest of these is our future relationship with the EU that will be determined by referendum. Other major external factors include the slowing Chinese economy, the plummeting oil price, the recent US interest rate increase, developments in the Eurozone, and the associated macroeconomic policies of the main players. Andrew Smith, formerly Chief Economist at KPMG, will give a detailed analysis of the overall economic landscape and how things could play out for the UK. Andrew has much experience of briefing senior executives on complex economic matters and has a great ability to interpret what has happened, and outline what could happen, with precision and humour.

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The Scottish economy is heavily dependent on energy and finance and also benefits from a skilled population and world class education system. Politically the Scottish Parliament is dominated by the SNP who now also have a strong cohort of MPs in Westminster.  The SNP is on record as opposing austerity as a route back to economic health and has appointed as advisers two progressive economists, Joseph Stiglitz and Mariana Mazzucato. Tasmina Ahmed Sheikh MP is the SNP spokesperson on Trade and Investment and will outline SNP policies and lead a discussion.