Amid multiple challenges, a future direction for the UK is gradually taking shape. This involves restoring and preserving a high standard of public services; getting closer to Europe culturally and economically; continuing the transition towards net zero emissions, and maintaining the territorial integrity of European nations.

This approach provides a structure in which UK businesses can plan and invest, and some can hopefully attain the continental scale needed to compete with the dominant US tech companies.

It should also provide the growth needed to support public services, infrastructure investment and vital new military spending. In the UK it is not the role of business to try to influence these choices, but it can support the move away from the economically disastrous policies of Brexit and towards a collaborative approach to business and trade.

In February, the Industry Forum held a roundtable for a group of European experts to discuss our research paper, 'Europe on the Brink’, and Mary Creagh MP and DEFRA minister is coming to talk about the circular economy later in February. We have many more meetings in planning as we try to cover the big range of political and technological changes now affecting business prospects.

We are welcoming new members to the Forum and keen to recruit more members to support our very full programme.

The UK's future direction