The Industry Forum has accepted an invitation for a joint meeting with Business with Europe to discuss the practical realities of the UK–EU relationship. This will provide an opportunity for participants to exchange experiences on how businesses have struggled, adapted and responded to post-Brexit trading conditions following the recent UK–EU summit negotiations. The conversation will also explore how future negotiations and cooperation between the UK and the European Union could better support British growth, stability and competitiveness. Key recommendations from the discussion will be presented at the forthcoming session of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Europe. Attendees will be business members of the Industry Forum and members of Business with Europe. The discussion will be lead by Trevor Greetham, Head of Multi-Asset at Royal London Asset Management.

Heating the UK’s 28 million often poorly insulated homes comes mainly from natural gas, and currently contributes around 20% of UK carbon emissions. Therefore, decarbonisation of home heating is a vital step in achieving progress towards net zero emissions. It is made difficult by the need to finance the change, provide clear benefits to consumers and protect vulnerable households. Martin McCluskey MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero will lead this roundtable on ‘Decarbonising homes, making it happen.

Much has changed since the fateful 2016 referendum which led to the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union: UK GDP has taken an estimated 4% hit as a result of Brexit; public opinion has swung towards EU membership; the second Trump administration has introduced punitive tariffs affecting Europe and has also reduced US commitment to European defence; the Russia/Ukraine war has enlarged and become a wider threat to Europe, and the UK now has a Labour government favourably disposed to working with the EU. Labour MP for Walthamstow and Chair of the Labour Movement for Europe, Stella Creasy will lead this roundtable on the current practicalities and potential for working more closely with our European neighbours.