Morning, Wednesday, 19th June 2024
This conference will assess next steps for the UK’s industrial policy and priorities for supporting both local and national economic growth.
With the approach of the general election, it will bring stakeholders and policymakers together to examine opportunities to build on the UK’s industrial strengths, increase economic security and support in meeting the domestic net zero target by 2050, following the launch of the Business and Trade Committee’s inquiry into the Government’s approach to industrial policy.
Delegates will assess key issues and priorities for the UK’s industrial strategy moving forward, including in the five growth sectors identified by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, which include advanced manufacturing, creative industries, digital technology, green industries and life sciences.
Attendees will discuss strategic options for supporting the UK’s long-term interests, including priorities for R&D, innovation and investment and for policy to support UK industrial growth, including strengthening domestic and international partnerships, and developing the skills pipeline.
Responsibilities of devolved administrations and the development and impact of localised strategies will also be discussed, including how to best channel continued governmental commitment to the devolution and levelling up agenda.
Overall, areas for discussion include:
- approaches to industrial policy in the UK: analysing focus industries, such as advanced manufacturing, green industries, life sciences, creative industries and digital technology
- encouraging industry development: fostering innovation and competition - attracting inward investment - support for start-ups and SMEs - regional development - industry partnerships
- R&D: industrial research partnerships with universities and key institutions - effective collaborative frameworks to foster innovation and skills development - growing the talent pipeline
- channelling industrial strategy to support key policy goals: economic growth and security - job creation - the transition to net zero - levelling up
- global outreach: looking at opportunities for UK industries to form international industry partnerships and attract foreign investment - learning from international industrial strategy
- local leadership: assessing the impact of the local devolution agenda - role of local leadership in determining local economic strategies and development
The conference will be an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who are due to attend from CCC; CMA; DBT; DLUHC; DSIT; DWP; HM Treasury; DAERA, NI; Defra; Department for the Economy, NI; DESNZ; DfE; DfT; DHSC; GO-Science; Isle of Man Government; The Scottish Government; and the Welsh Government - as well as parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Commons.
