A Brexit "no deal" and WTO rules would wreck the economy, writes IF Economist Andrew Smith. Countries normally seek trade arrangements which promote successful businesses, but the government is apparently seriously contemplating the opposite - a change in the terms of trade which will threaten the UK's most important sectors.

Open a copy of No, you don't want WTO rules

Anxiety about robots is lazy thinking that avoids the real and difficult issues caused by technological and economic change, writes Rod Dowler in the LSE Business Review, 24 April 2017

Click here to view Why robots aren't the enemy

At the annual Industry Forum economic prospects briefing for 2017, Andrew Smith outlined the increasing risks and uncertainties arising from Brexit, the policies of the new Trump-led US administration, and the widespread political appetite for a return to protectionism. Andrew is the Chief Economic Adviser to the Industry Forum and he made his presentation to Industry Forum members and guests at the City law firm Fieldfisher LLP. His slides can be downloaded below. If you would like to discuss the findings and conclusions directly, please contact Jo Wyer at jwyer@industry-forum.org

Open a copy of Industry Forum Andrew Smith Presentation February 2017

During 2016, Industry Forum Chair, Rod Dowler, assisted Lord Kerslake’s independent review of the Treasury to consider how it should work to promote and manage more sustainable growth in a fairer and more equal society.

Click here to open Rethinking the Treasury

In this wide-ranging analysis of the implications of the election of Donald Trump and the UK vote for Brexit, Professor Stephen Haseler raises many disturbing questions about the shifting priorities and alignments of major world powers and the risks faced by the UK.

Click here to open Trump’s New World Order: Brexit and Europe in a World Turned Upside Down

The joint Federal Trust/Global Policy Institute/Industry Forum project to tackle the difficult questions raised by Brexit did produce some significant survey consensus about what Brexit should provide. Sadly, in the time between the survey and March 2017 it has become clear that, as the Rolling Stones would say ‘You don’t always get what you want’. The most serious issue for business is that it now seems highly unlikely that the UK will remain in the Single Market.

For the full report click here Brexit survey full results