We had the transport ‘A team’ at an Industry Forum virtual roundtable on, ‘A Post-covid transport transformation?’. Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, Jim McMahon MP, kicked off the event. Sector speakers were Andy Bagnall, Director General at the Rail Delivery Group; Katy Taylor, Chief Strategy and Customer Officer, Go-Ahead bus group; Nigel Milton, Director of Communications, Heathrow Airport, and Konstanze Scharring, Director of Policy at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Key points of agreement were that: much of the transport industry has been seriously damaged financially by the big drop in travel during the lockdown; working practices have changed and we will not return to pre-pandemic office use and commuting patterns, and that there has been a massive mood change relating to the climate emergency which means that transport sectors will need to quickly lower carbon emissions. There was optimism that the challenges can be met although the need for a joined up transition plan, linked to a UK industrial strategy, was acknowledged.

Speakers:

Jim McMahon MP, Shadow Minister for Transport

Andy Bagnall, Director General, Rail Delivery Group

Katy Taylor, Chief Strategy and Customer Officer, Go-Ahead Group

Nigel Milton, Director of Communications, Heathrow

Konstanze Scharring, Director of Policy and Government Affairs, Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)

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The pandemic has transformed levels of state support for personal incomes and benefits, and highlighted some current and past shortcomings in such support. Key questions now relate to the withdrawal of emergency support and the need for for a future, more rational, and perhaps more generous approach to pensions and benefits. To explore such issues, Jonathan Reynolds MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, and Anna Coote Principal Fellow of the New Economics Foundation led a wide-ranging Industry Forum online round table on the topic of ‘An integrated approach to pensions and benefits in recovery from the pandemic’. Topics covered included the triple lock on retirement pensions, inter-generational asset inequality, universal credit, the pension dashboard and how reform based on the goal of universal basic services would operate. Some new thinking is needed and decisions taken will affect government spending levels and how successfully the country recovers from the pandemic.

Speakers include:

Jonathan Reynolds MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

Anna Coote, Principal Fellow, New Economics Foundation

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Shadow Foreign Office Minister for Asia and the Pacific, Stephen Kinnock MP, today led a wide-ranging Industry Forum panel discussion on ‘The implications of the new National Security and Investment Bill’. The other speakers were David Offenbach, Legal Consultant at Simons Muirhead & Burton, LLP; Creon Butler, Director of the Global Economy and Finance Programme, Chatham House; Giles Warrington, Partner, Pinsent Masons LLP, and Janet Williamson, Senior Policy Officer in the TUC’s Economic and Social affairs Department. The aim of the bill is to protect UK national security while ensuring that the country remains a global champion of free trade, and an attractive place to invest. In providing the government with the means to scrutinise and intervene in foreign takeovers, it brings the UK into line with other developed countries. Much is left to the discretion of ministers and therefore time will tell how it meets its objectives, fits into an overall industrial strategy, and serves to protect the interests of British workers.

Speakers included:

Stephen Kinnock MP, Shadow Minister for Asia and the Pacific

David Offenbach, Consultant, Simons Muirhead & Burton LLP

Creon Butler, Director, Global Economy and Finance Programme, Chatham House

Giles Warrington, Partner, Pinsent Masons LLP

Janet Williamson, Senior Policy Officer, Trades Union Congress

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The Rt Hon Emily Thornberry MP, Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade, led an Industry Forum discussion on ‘Opportunities and issues for post Brexit international trade’. In the context of health, climate, and economic emergencies, and the advent of a new US administration, the meeting, held under the Chatham House rule, focused on the complexity of international trade and the need for a joined up UK strategy that takes account of economic realities and political objectives. This requires policy-makers to approach issues with a systematic, problem-solving attitude in negotiations with businesses and trade partners. The meeting was sponsored by British Water and attended by an invited audience from business, overseas trade representatives, and academia. Other speakers included Lila Thompson, the CEO of British Water, Darren Budd, Commercial Director UK/Ireland BASF, and Anil Kakaria, Head of Sales & Operations EMEA, Moglix.

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The Covid 19 pandemic has had a disastrous impact on some business sectors such as leisure, travel, and commercial property. Residential building and construction has, however, largely kept going, house prices have not so far collapsed, and working from home has increased awareness of the need for adequate accommodation. Neither a home office, nor a home classroom can operate properly from the end of the kitchen table. There are therefore big economic and social incentives to increase the supply of housing, particularly in areas where there are serious housing shortages. Clive Betts MP, Chair, of the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee will talk about plans and prospects for increasing the supply of housing. Three sector experts will respond followed by a general Q&A.

Speakers include:

Clive Betts MP, Chair, of the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee

John Slaughter, Director of External Affairs, Home Builders Federation

Melissa Dowler, Director, Bell Philips Architects

Robert McIlveen, Director of Public Affairs for the Mineral Products Association

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As pandemic restrictions continue they are increasing the number of issues affecting all aspects of higher education, vocational, and skills training. Students are facing stress over exam grading assessments, remote working, and problems in transitioning to work in the difficult labour market. Equally employers, under stress themselves, need to recruit from a pool of young people who may not have had the usual education and training. Overlaying these issues is the need to help all workers adapt to new conditions in a rapidly evolving and increasingly digital world economy. Kate Green, MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Education, will lead a discussion on developing the policies that will help the UK in ‘Getting higher education right for 21st Century’.

Kate Green, MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Education

Kate Shoesmith, Director of Sales & Marketing, Recruitment & Employment Confederation

Dr Hilary Leevers, Chief Executive EngineeringUK

Özlem Onaran, Professor of Economics, University of Greenwich

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