Westminster eForum

***Full-scale policy conference taking place online***

This conference is bringing together key stakeholders with policymakers to examine the future of the commercial drone market.

The discussion at a glance:

• product innovation - including latest developments in commercial use cases, such as delivery, logistics and infrastructure surveying
• safety and risk mitigation - priorities for innovation, airspace integration and traffic management, and insurance
• regulation - the UK and European frameworks, issues and effectiveness, and enforcement powers
• support - what the sector needs most, including in terms of policy, funding, regulation, and in R&D
• engagement - increasing public trust in drones amongst the public, policymakers and elsewhere in business

The agenda:

• The future of commercial drone operations - latest developments in materials and technology, and current and future use cases for unmanned aircraft
• Next steps for developing regulatory frameworks for unmanned air operations in the UK - ensuring safety and enabling innovation
• Achieving the safe integration of drone operations in UK airspace
• Assessing and mitigating the key risks associated with drones and developing public trust - security, privacy and insurance
• Priorities for policy in the regulation of unmanned aircraft in the UK - key aims of the Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Bill
• Case study: utilising the capability of drones in law enforcement and police operations

The discussion in detail:

The market

• potential growth areas - use cases for drones and aerial robotics technology being developed and rolled out across industry and public services
• innovation - examining advances in aerial robotics technology and their implications, including in batteries and motors, as well as control software and automation
• making drone usage routine - including increasing the availability of qualified pilots, and developing and maturing leasing and hiring arrangements

Regulation

• keeping pace - ensuring that policy and regulation can accommodate more sophisticated use cases for drones
  
  • for example tackling the real-time risk mitigation and notification requirements to enable complex operations such as drone swarms and beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) flight

• airspace management - what more may be needed to enable routine drone flying in controlled and uncontrolled airspace
  
  • notification and clearance requirements
  • risk mitigation - priorities for creating equivalent to the see-and-avoid procedure used by manned aircraft
  • future proofing - preparing for possible advanced use cases such as the use of drones for logistics and parcel delivery
• standards - design and introduction of electronic conspicuity for commercial drones, and further potential measures to mitigate risk
• insurance - developments in products specified for the drone industry, looking at design and marketing, quantifying risk, and the potential for pay-as-you-fly

Enforcement

• effectiveness - impact of measures in the Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Bill including greater enforcement powers for police forces in tackling negligent or malicious drone flying
• next steps - the UK Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Strategy and further options for policy to tackle illegal drone flying and the misuse of drones

Trust and sector support

• research and development - what more is needed from policymakers and regulators to support the development of drone technologies in the UK
• engagement strategies - priorities for increasing trust in drones and counteracting negative public perceptions, within the public, regulators and policymakers, and with partners and other sectors

Developments that are relevant to the discussion:

• Unlocking the Power of Location: The UK’s geospatial strategy 2020 to 2025 - the Government and Geospatial Commission identifying the potential of drones to contribute to optimisation of logistics worth £2bn per year, with possibilities such as using satellite tracing to calculate single-flight drone insurance premiums
• the Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Bill - currently before Parliament
• the UK Drones Pathfinder programme - funding for the programme on integration of drones in UK airspace is to be extended through to 2021
• European drones regulation - the new European drone rules drawn up by European Union Aviation Safety Agency, scheduled for December 2020
• UK regulatory developments:
  
  • the UK Drone and model aircraft registration and education service and introduction of mandatory drone registration
  • the CAA Drone and Model Aircraft Code
  • the UK Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Strategy
• COVID-19 - drones playing a role during the crisis:
  
  • monitoring and enforcement - of social distancing measures
  • emergency logistics - with discussion around the potential to support authorities, for example in aiding diagnoses and the transfer of key supplies
  • funding - backing for new trials from the UK Space Agency and the European Space Agency

Policy officials attending:

Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders.

There is particularly strong interest in this conference. Places have been reserved by officials from BEIS; the Department for Transport; the Home Office; the Ministry of Defence; HM Treasury; the DCMS; the Defence Airspace and Air Traffic Management; the Military Aviation Authority Defence Safety Agency; the Department for International Trade; the European Space Agency; the UK Space Agency; the Department of Health and Social Care; the Geospatial Commission; the Government Legal Department; the Government Legal Profession; GCHQ; HM Revenue & Customs; the Health and Safety Executive; the Maritime and Coastguard Agency; Marine Scotland; the National Crime Agency; and the Welsh Government.

This is a full-scale conference taking place online***

• full, four-hour programme including comfort breaks - you’ll also get a full recording to refer back to
• information-rich discussion involving key policymakers and stakeholders
• conference materials provided in advance, including speaker biographies
• speakers presenting via webcam, accompanied by slides if they wish, using the Cisco WebEx professional online conference platform (easy for delegates - we’ll provide full details)
• opportunities for live delegate questions and comments with all speakers
• a recording of the addresses, all slides cleared by speakers, and further materials, is made available to all delegates afterwards as a permanent record of the proceedings
• delegates are able to add their own written comments and articles following the conference, to be distributed to all attendees and more widely
• networking too - there will be opportunities for delegates to e-meet and interact - we’ll tell you how!

Full information and guidance on how to take part will be sent to delegates before the conference

***Full-scale policy conference taking place online***

This conference will consider the way forward for UK digital economy.

Discussion will focus on the priorities for policy and regulation to support a dynamic market that works for the sector, consumers and the wider economy.

The agenda also looks at options for the remit and powers of a new Digital Markets Unit to address digital competition issues put forward in last year’s Unlocking digital competition Furman Review.

The discussion at a glance:

• the Digital Markets Unit - implementing the Furman Review proposal of the new body
• international policy and regulation - latest developments and their impact on digital markets in the UK, and on multinational engagement and coordination of regulatory initiatives
• UK regulation - the evolving role of the CMA in this area, as well as the regulatory tools available the Authority and priorities as the UK negotiates its future trading relationship with the EU
• the digital economy market - looking forward:
  
  • key trends in M&A - the impact on competition, consumer choice and pace of innovation of acquisition of tech start-ups by larger online platforms and big tech companies
  • barriers to entry - faced by prospective market entrants
• the digital advertising market - including how consumer data is collected and handled - and the impact of many of the large companies owning companies along the value chain
• COVID-19 - the short and long term impacts of the pandemic on markets and competition, looking at consumer behaviour, business supply chains, and the regulatory environment

A scan of relevant background and developments:

As well as the Furman Review, the discussion takes place in the context of:

• the CMA COVID-19 taskforce established to spot the emergence of harmful sales and pricing practices, issue warnings and take enforcement action, and advise government on how competition law might need to adapt during the crisis
• How should competition policy react to coronavirus? - the CMA Chairman’s report published by the IPPR on the potential contribution of competition policy to economic recovery in the wake of the pandemic
• the CMA’s digital markets strategy and Online platforms and digital advertising market study, which calls for the Government to introduce a new pro-competition regulatory regime to monitor major platforms funded by digital advertising
• the new Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum - which brings together the CMA, the ICO, and Ofcom to support the coordination of regulatory approaches in online services
• Digital Markets Taskforce - Calls for evidence from the CMA-led body commissioned by government to advise on the design and implementation of pro-competitive measures for digital markets
• Closer to consumers - competition and consumer protection for the 2020s - the Chief Executive of the CMA outlining how its approach to regulation is evolving
• Online advertising - the DCMS review of regulation
• Zero rate of VAT for electronic publications - announced in the budget earlier this year and brought forward as a result of the coronavirus pandemic
• Digital Services Tax - a 2% tax on the revenues of search engines, social media services and online marketplaces which derive value from UK users being introduced in the UK -
• Smart Data Review - proposals around increasing interoperability and transferability of consumer data across a range of sectors
• EU competition law - market definition notice - the European Commission’s consultation aimed at ensuring competition laws are fit for the digital age

The agenda:

• Competition and regulation in the digital space - the current state of play and key developments
• Assessing competition in the digital economy
• Addressing competition issues in digital markets - innovation, consumer benefit, and the future regulatory framework
• Key regulatory priorities - the evolving role of the CMA in taking forward the digital markets strategy
• Next steps for policy - international engagement, developing the digital markets unit, and taking forward the review of online advertising regulation
• Competition in digital advertising - the market position of online platforms, the impact of consolidation in the value chain, and the utilisation and handling of consumer data

Policy officials attending:

Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders.

This conference looks no different. Places have been reserved by parliamentary pass-holders from both Houses of Parliament, and officials from the Cabinet Office; the Competition & Markets Authority; HM Treasury; BEIS; the DCMS; Ofcom; the National Audit Office; the Government Legal Department; the Government Legal Profession; the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation; the Department for Transport; DWP; the Information Commissioner's Office; the Intellectual Property Office; and the Welsh Government.

This is a full-scale conference taking place online***

• full, four-hour programme including comfort breaks - you’ll also get a full recording to refer back to
• information-rich discussion involving key policymakers and stakeholders
• conference materials provided in advance, including speaker biographies
• speakers presenting via webcam, accompanied by slides if they wish, using the Cisco WebEx professional online conference platform (easy for delegates - we’ll provide full details)
• opportunities for live delegate questions and comments with all speakers
• a recording of the addresses, all slides cleared by speakers, and further materials, is made available to all delegates afterwards as a permanent record of the proceedings
• delegates are able to add their own written comments and articles following the conference, to be distributed to all attendees and more widely
• networking too - there will be opportunities for delegates to e-meet and interact - we’ll tell you how!

Full information and guidance on how to take part will be sent to delegates before the conference

***Full-scale policy conference taking place online***

This conference focuses on AI technologies in the UK, bringing together sector leaders and other key stakeholders with policymakers in parliament, and across government and regulation.

The discussion at a glance:

Latest developments and priorities going forward for:

• supporting the UK’s commercial AI sector
• putting in place data standards and infrastructure
• addressing key ethical issues

We also expect discussion on the contribution of AI to the work going on to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, and what can be learned and taken forward from the response of the sector in areas such as responsiveness, agility and collaboration.

Relevant developments at a glance:

• policy - the AI Sector Deal and the government’s National Data Strategy
• guidance - from the OAI, GDS, IOC, and Adam Turing Institute on using AI in the public sector, explaining decisions made using AI to those affected, and an organisational AI auditing framework
• the Open Data Institute’s three pilot data trust projects last year
• CDEI analysis:
  
  • priority areas for potential benefit from AI - including social media moderation, fraud detection, clinical diagnosis support, and the finance and insurance sectors
  • risks - including algorithmic bias, lack of clarity and understanding over algorithmic decision making, and lack of consent around data collection and use
  • uptake drivers - including increasing public trust through greater transparency around AI and data use, and improving the quality and availability of data
• skills and the talent pipeline:
  
  • the Centres for Doctoral Training programme, new places on AI and data science conversion courses, and government proposals for immigration policy
  • AI Skills in the UK -  a recent Microsoft report with international comparisons finding the UK falling behind in AI maturity, skills and adoption levels, leading to higher failure rate in AI projects

The discussion in detail:

Data protection, transparency, trust and tackling bias

• personal data and privacy - mitigating potential risks associated with AI across the public and private sectors
• data sets - increasing their availability for use in AI development:
  
  • personal data such as healthcare records - as well as systems data
  • balancing openness with ethical and privacy considerations
• transparency - in AI-driven decision-making, and how it can best be achieved
• bias in algorithmic decision-making - and how to address its replication when data sets are re-used, particularly in perpetuating racial stereotypes
• the data trust concept - how it might be rolled out across further use cases and sectors of the economy

Infrastructure for AI

• putting in place the data infrastructure necessary to support the development of AI technologies in the UK
• securing the availability of large, high-quality and consistently-formatted data sets

R&D in the UK

• funding for research and development in the UK - including from public sector to support research in UK universities and other institutions
• collaboration between universities and commercial organisations - the way forward for its development
• university start-up incubator programmes - their future role
• commercialising academic research in AI - and developing business models

Skills, education and the talent pipeline

• progress - looking at the Centres for Doctoral Training programme, as well as the delivery of AI Masters courses
• overseas and UK talent - recruitment and retention, including the potential implications of the Government’s proposals for the future immigration system
• diversity - key priorities for the UK’s tech sector

Key considerations for public-sector bodies

• transparency
• accountability
• recognising the present limitations of the technology

Developing the UK’s commercial AI sector

• start-ups and scale-ups - driving investment, and what more is needed from policymakers and public sector bodies, as well as from investors and venture capital firms
• funding sources - increasing their availability and diversity, and better connecting them with AI ventures
• priorities for AI start-ups themselves - in developing their attractiveness and viability as investment prospects
• business support - increasing the availability of resources for UK AI ventures

COVID-19

• What can be learned for the development of the sector from the role of AI in the response, including in: contact-tracing and developing mobile applications, predictive computer models and developing responses both in the UK and internationally

The agenda:

• Developing the UK’s AI sector - progress so far and next steps for policy
• Addressing key ethical concerns around artificial intelligence:
  
  • Auditing the handling and use of data in AI development and assessing the key implications for privacy and data protection
  • Latest thinking on AI opportunities and risks
  • Key legal and regulatory implications of the widespread uptake of AI technologies
  • Increasing opportunities for under-represented groups in the AI and digital workforce
• Research and development in AI technologies in the UK - funding, collaboration between universities and industry, and the talent pipeline
• Funding and investment in AI start-ups and scale-ups in the UK
• Priorities for developing the UK’s commercial AI sector

Policy officials attending:

Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders.

Interest from government is particularly strong for this conference. Places have been reserved by parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Commons, and officials from BEIS; the Cabinet Office; HM Treasury; the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation; DCMS; CIDD; the Competition and Markets Authority; the Department for International Trade; the Department for Transport; the Department of Health and Social Care; DFID; the DWP; the Food Standards Agency; GCHQ; HMCTS; HM Revenue & Customs; the Home Office; the Intellectual Property Office; the Maritime and Coastguard Agency; Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency; MHCLG; the Ministry of Defence; the Ministry of Justice; the National Audit Office; the National Crime Agency; the National Cyber Security Centre; Ofcom; the Office for Life Sciences; The Scottish Government; the UK Space Agency and the Welsh Government.

This is a full-scale conference taking place online***

• full, four-hour programme including comfort breaks - you’ll also get a full recording to refer back to
• information-rich discussion involving key policymakers and stakeholders
• conference materials provided in advance, including speaker biographies
• speakers presenting via webcam, accompanied by slides if they wish, using the Cisco WebEx professional online conference platform (easy for delegates - we’ll provide full details)
• opportunities for live delegate questions and comments with all speakers
• a recording of the addresses, all slides cleared by speakers, and further materials, is made available to all delegates afterwards as a permanent record of the proceedings
• delegates are able to add their own written comments and articles following the conference, to be distributed to all attendees and more widely
• networking too - there will be opportunities for delegates to e-meet and interact - we’ll tell you how!

Full information and guidance on how to take part will be sent to delegates before the conference

***Full-scale policy conference taking place online***

This conference will discuss the way forward for implementing and rolling out the Shared Rural Network (SRN) programme - aiming to achieve 95% 4G coverage by land area in the UK by 2025.

The discussion at a glance:

• progress so far
• remaining challenges
• potential impact on rural businesses, services and communities

The discussion in detail:

• collaboration - progress, remaining issues and next steps in developing commercial partnerships between the MNOs, including terms for access to existing infrastructure
• funding - how it should be prioritised and geographically directed, and the relationship between commercial and public-sector funding for the SRN
• barriers - addressing practical issues facing rollout of infrastructure for the SRN on the timescales set out by the Government, including:
  
  • access to land in order to place key network infrastructure
  • the potential impact on the SRN programme of proposed access rights measure in the Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Bill, currently before Parliament
• procurement - how contracts for infrastructure construction and placement will be tendered for and awarded, and the breadth and openness of competition in delivering the network
• coverage obligations - including rollout commitments, and any further regulatory interventions that might be needed to drive the rollout of mobile coverage in rural areas across the UK
• joined-up development - complementarity between the SRN and other programmes to increase the quality and breadth of mobile coverage in rural areas - such as the Scottish 4G Infill Programme
• impact - maximising the potential of the SRN for the UK’s rural economies including wider improvements to rural public services
• local engagement - the future role for local authorities, local enterprise partnerships and other local stakeholder groups in delivering the SRN and its benefits
• COVID-19:
  
  • what has been learned - from the use of mobile technology during the pandemic
  • the new normal - what changes in demand and usage patterns are likely to remain embedded going forward
  • economic recovery - the impact of good quality mobile coverage in helping organisations to restart and maintain operations as restrictions are lifted

The background to the discussion:

• COVID-19 - the use of mobile networks during the pandemic highlighting the importance of connectivity for health and social care, social contact, learning and work
• Government response to the consultation on proposed reforms to permitted development rights to support the deployment of 5G and extend mobile coverage - measures to enable taller and wider masts, location nearer highways, and faster rollout of other infrastructure
• New law changes to bring better connectivity to the UK:
  
  • the European Electronic Communications Code coming into UK law to encourage gigabit broadband rollout in new, hard-to-reach areas
  • extending Ofcom powers to gather information and report back on progress in this area
• £1bn deal to end poor rural mobile coverage agreed, involving:
  
  • the four UK MNOs - committing £532m towards developing the SRN with measures including upgrading existing infrastructure and construction of new phone masts
  • the Government - procviding a further £500m to tackle total not-spots
• Mobile coverage obligations - legally-binding coverage commitments agreed by the four MNOs for each UK nation after four and six years from the start of the SRN programme
• The National Infrastructure Strategy - expected later this year, which will outline government plans on core economic infrastructure, including how to deliver digital networks

The agenda:

• Getting SRN over the line - the End of the Beginning
• Rural coverage in Scotland - progress made so far on the Scottish 4G Infill Programme and the deployment lessons learnt to date
• Improving telecoms infrastructure throughout the UK - what lessons can be learned from continental Europe? - with Alfonso Alvarez, Managing Director, Cellnex UK
• Assessing the wider impact of increased connectivity in rural areas - developing the rural economy and supporting communities and services
• Next steps for partnerships and collaboration within the industry and more widely
• Key priorities for the Shared Rural Network
• Implementing the SRN programme - infrastructure rollout, tackling partial and total ‘not-spots’, and the role for the UK’s wider telecoms industry in building the network

Policy officials attending:

Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders.

It is certainly the case with this conference. Places have been reserved by parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Commons, and by officials from the DCMS; BEIS; the Home Office; the Department for International Trade; Defra; the Department for the Economy, NI; the Government Legal Department; the Infrastructure and Projects Authority; the Ministry of Defence; the National Audit Office; The Scottish Government and the Welsh Government.

This is a full-scale conference taking place online***

• full, four-hour programme including comfort breaks - you’ll also get a full recording to refer back to
• information-rich discussion involving key policymakers and stakeholders
• conference materials provided in advance, including speaker biographies
• speakers presenting via webcam, accompanied by slides if they wish, using the Cisco WebEx professional online conference platform (easy for delegates - we’ll provide full details)
• opportunities for live delegate questions and comments with all speakers
• a recording of the addresses, all slides cleared by speakers, and further materials, is made available to all delegates afterwards as a permanent record of the proceedings
• delegates are able to add their own written comments and articles following the conference, to be distributed to all attendees and more widely
• networking too - there will be opportunities for delegates to e-meet and interact - we’ll tell you how!

Full information and guidance on how to take part will be sent to delegates before the conference

***Full-scale policy conference taking place online***

This timely conference is bringing together key stakeholders and policymakers to examine key issues for the retail mobile and broadband market.

It takes place with Ofcom’s work programme for 2020/21 including plans to protect consumers, enhance services and adapt regulation - and with the planned Consumer Protection White Paper expected to be published later this year.

Of course we expect much of the discussion on the day to focus on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the industry looks ahead to consider which changes in customer habits and priorities that emerged during the crisis are likely to remain embedded - and what they mean for services, the nature of demand, and the shape of the market going forward.

Key areas for discussion:

• Policy and regulatory priorities for the retail mobile and broadband sector
• The retail telecoms market of the future: what does a competitive and innovative sector - that delivers for consumers and remains attractive to investors - look like, and how to get there
• Designing infrastructure and service delivery to meet customer need, and to react to changing behaviour and business requirements
• Removing barriers to switching, better informing consumers, encouraging price transparency and reducing loyalty penalties - including case study from the retail energy sector
• Learning from how the services provided to consumers and businesses adapted in the response to COVID-19 - and what support will be needed into the future for the industry and its customers.

The agenda:

• Consumer protection, regulation and telecoms services - with Rich Sullivan-Jones, Audit Manager, Regulation, Consumers and Competition, National Audit Office
• Pricing, switching, and broadband and mobile consumers - with Jane Rumble, Director, Consumer Policy, Ofcom
• Case study: strategies for protecting the interests of consumers in the retail energy market - with Mary Starks, Executive Director, Consumers and Markets, Ofgem
• Consumer protection in mobile and broadband - key steps for policy - with Melissa Giordano, Deputy Director, Telecoms Policy and Legislation, DCMS
• A market that serves consumers: design and delivery of new infrastructure and services, increasing choice and reducing switching barriers, and responsive support for customers - including in light of the COVID-19 crisis - a panel with Uswitch, Sky, BT, Mobile UK, and Citizens advice
• Supporting a vibrant retail sector into the future - innovation in service delivery, driving competition, attracting investment, and preparing for the Copper Switch Off - a panel with Pinsent Masons, the Communications Consumer Panel, CityFibre, Virgin Media, and Ombudsman Services

Developments that are relevant to the discussion:

• Growing focus on policy and regulation in the area of consumer protection and empowerment;

• Plans to develop 5G and fibre infrastructure further outlined in Ofcom’s annual report;
• The Wholesale Telecoms Market Review prioritising the provision of choice, value and quality - and encouraging network competition - in meeting growing demand for future broadband services;
• The Smart Data Review - which focuses on how data portability can be used to improve consumer experiences;
• Prospects for setting up a new independent consumer advocacy body;
• Ofcom’s response to stakeholder comments on its fairness framework for UK telecoms providers which sets out the regulator’s approach to assessing whether consumers are getting a good deal;
• Changes to the European regulatory framework - which underpins the regulation of the UK’s telecoms sector, aimed at securing a high level of consumer protection; and
• A package of measures that have been agreed between the DCMS and major fixed and mobile providers which seek to support consumers working for the NHS and using its services.

Policy officials attending:

Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders.

This one looks no different. Places have been reserved by officials from DCMS; Ofcom; the Competition and Markets Authority; HMRC; the National Audit Office; the Department for International Trade; and The Scottish Government.

This is a full-scale conference taking place online***

• full, four-hour programme including comfort breaks - you’ll also get a full recording to refer back to
• information-rich discussion involving key policymakers and stakeholders
• conference materials provided in advance, including speaker biographies
• speakers presenting via webcam, accompanied by slides if they wish, using the Cisco WebEx professional online conference platform (easy for delegates - we’ll provide full details)
• opportunities for live delegate questions and comments with all speakers
• a recording of the addresses, all slides cleared by speakers, and further materials, is made available to all delegates afterwards as a permanent record of the proceedings
• delegates are able to add their own written comments and articles following the conference, to be distributed to all attendees and more widely
• networking too - there will be opportunities for delegates to e-meet and interact - we’ll tell you how!

Full information and guidance on how to take part will be sent to delegates before the conference

***Full-scale policy conference taking place online***

This conference will consider key priorities and next steps for online regulation in the UK.

Key areas for discussion:

• Key proposals contained in the Online Harms White Paper, and the Government’s initial response - issues including:
  
  • the way forward for designing and implementing codes of conduct
  • a statutory duty of care for online platforms
  • options for regulatory and enforcement powers
  • the future of the duty of care principle in legislation, in light of reports on concerns that recent proposals from the Culture Secretary to introduce pre-legislative scrutiny of draft laws before a Bill is presented to Parliament could lead to a softening of measures
• Priorities for implementation of the ICO’s age appropriate design code
• Preventing access to harmful and illegal content online for children and young people - next steps for policy, regulation and industry practice
• What should an online media literacy strategy look like, following government commitments in its response to the Cairncross Review
• Tackling harmful and illegal online content, including child sexual abuse imagery, extremist content and disinformation - looking at:
  
  • improving detection, reporting and takedown
  • further developing collaboration between government, regulators and the industry
• The recent spread of online misinformation and disinformation associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, and the effectiveness of countermeasures put in place so far by online platforms
• Best practice in privacy and fair and ethical uses of data, in the context of recent concerns around video conferencing apps

• With a new independent report published by the Government showing the UK as world leader in online safety innovation with a 25% global market share, what are the priorities for supporting the continued development and growth of the UK online safety tech sector

Why this is relevant now - the context:

The conference takes place with a range of developments in regulation and policy:

• the Government minded to name Ofcom as the regulator responsible for the internet and online platforms following its consultation on the Online Harms White Paper
• planned introduction of the Digital Services Tax
• Government’s response to the Cairncross Review - including taking forward proposals to create codes of conduct governing relationships between news publishers and online platforms
• the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation’s report on online targeting
• warnings from The Internet Watch Foundation that there has been an 89% reduction in the number of abuse websites being taken offline during the COVID-19 lockdown
• findings from Ofcom’s latest Children and parents: media use and attitudes report, that over half of 12-15 year olds had reported encountering hateful content online in the past 12 months
• recent launch of The Online Safety Tech Industry Association, which brings together the tech industry and internet safety organisations to increase awareness of online safety technologies
• new measures announced by the Government - including funding to support law enforcement to target paedophiles operating on the dark web

The agenda:

• Key priorities and challenges for upcoming Online Harms legislation
• Identifying and tackling the key issues in the online space and assessing the industry’s response so far
• Latest trends in online activity by children and young people, the threats they face and the response
• The future approach to the regulation of the internet in the UK - assessing the design, implementation and potential effectiveness of codes of practice, and the statutory duty of care on online platforms
• Taking forward the measures in the Online Harms White Paper - next steps for regulation

Policy officials attending:

Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders.

It’s certainly the case with this one. Places have been reserved by parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Lords and the APPG for Children's Media and the Arts, and officials from DCMS; BEIS; Ofcom; the Cabinet Office; the Home Office; the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation; the Competition and Markets Authority; the Department for Education; the Department for International Trade; the Department for Transport; DHSC; the DWP; the Food Standards Agency; GCHQ; the Government Legal Department; HMRC; the Intellectual Property Office; the National Audit Office; the National Crime Agency and the Welsh Government.

This is a full-scale conference taking place online***

• full, four-hour programme including comfort breaks - you’ll also get a full recording to refer back to
• information-rich discussion involving key policymakers and stakeholders
• conference materials provided in advance, including speaker biographies
• speakers presenting via webcam, accompanied by slides if they wish, using the Cisco WebEx professional online conference platform (easy for delegates - we’ll provide full details)
• opportunities for live delegate questions and comments with all speakers
• a recording of the addresses, all slides cleared by speakers, and further materials, is made available to all delegates afterwards as a permanent record of the proceedings
• delegates are able to add their own written comments and articles following the conference, to be distributed to all attendees and more widely
• networking too - there will be opportunities for delegates to e-meet and interact - we’ll tell you how!

Full information and guidance on how to take part will be sent to delegates before the conference

***Full-scale policy conference taking place online***

This conference will consider the way forward for policy and practice in the use of biometric data by government, and the private and public sector in the UK.

As well as bringing out latest commercial thinking and development, this conference will be an opportunity to share views with a wide range of officials from government and regulation who are examining the future of policy in this area, and who have reserved places.

Key areas for discussion:

• Oversight and regulatory frameworks for biometric technologies in the UK private and public sectors - as well as enforcement and next steps for policy;
• Latest thinking on commercial opportunities across sectors including transport, finance, security and authentication, and marketing - and the regulatory implications;
• Investment and R&D into biometric technologies in the UK, as well as developing and supporting the UK sector to take advantage of global market growth;
• Legal and ethical issues, looking at data processing and protection - and the question of biases in facial recognition and other biometric technology; and
• Developments in supporting cyber security, and tackling fraud and identity theft, as well as the potential consequences of cyber security breaches involving biometric data.

Developments that are relevant to the discussion:

• Live facial recognition (LFR) technology figuring in current legal action, and in investigations and regulatory reviews by the Biometrics Commissioner and the ICO;
• Recent reports that the European Commission is considering a ban of up to five years on the use of facial recognition technology in public places;
• The recent announcement by the Metropolitan Police that it is beginning operational use of LFR in London; and
• The Home Office’s Biometrics Strategy and its Biometrics Programme.

The agenda:

• Developing governance for the use of new biometric technologies by government, the public sector and law enforcement;
• Addressing ethical and practical concerns around biometrics and digital identity - privacy, security and transparency;
• Case study: deploying facial recognition technology to improve passenger experience and efficiency in an airport setting; and
• Developing the UK’s commercial biometrics sector - R&D and investment, ethics and winning public trust

Policy officials attending

Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders.

It’s particularly the case with this one. Places have been reserved by parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Commons and officials from the Attorney General's Office; the Cabinet Office; the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation; the CMA; the Crown Prosecution Service; the DCMS; the Department for Transport; the Department of Health & Social Care; the Government Office for Science; HM Passport Office; HMPPS; HM Revenue & Customs; HM Treasury; Home Office; the Information Commissioner's Office; MHCLG; Ministry of Defence; the Ministry of Justice; the National Audit Office and UKRI.

This is a full-scale conference taking place online***

• full, four-hour programme including comfort breaks - you’ll also get a full recording to refer back to
• information-rich discussion involving key policymakers and stakeholders
• conference materials provided in advance, including speaker biographies
• speakers presenting via webcam, accompanied by slides if they wish, using the Cisco WebEx professional online conference platform (easy for delegates - we’ll provide full details)
• opportunities for live delegate questions and comments with all speakers
• a recording of the addresses, all slides cleared by speakers, and further materials, is made available to all delegates afterwards as a permanent record of the proceedings
• delegates are able to add their own written comments and articles following the conference, to be distributed to all attendees and more widely
• networking too - there will be opportunities for delegates to e-meet and interact - we’ll tell you how!

Full information and guidance on how to take part will be sent to delegates before the conference

***Full-scale policy conference taking place online***

This conference will consider key issues for the development of smart cities and connected places in the UK - and next steps for local and municipal authorities, central government and regulators, and the private sector.

Key areas for discussion:

• Infrastructure development to support the development of smart cities in the UK - including telecoms and mobility networks, and addressing planning issues;
• Data handling, treatment, storage and utilisation - and applications for a number of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence, in a smart-city context;
• Delivery of key local services such as waste management, water treatment, healthcare and energy;
• The role of smart city services meeting the challenge of climate change and tackling other environmental concerns such as air quality and noise pollution;
• Fostering wider engagement with citizens and other key stakeholders in the design and implementation of digitised services;
• Development of local technology economies, including creating the conditions for innovative start-ups and scale-ups, including attracting inward investment;
• The ways in which people, technology, and data can be combined to enable innovative approaches to the COVID-19 crisis, and the implications this has on the future development of smart cities.

The agenda:

• Innovation in the delivery of public services in urban environments;
• Smart cities and the impact of 5G
  
  • 5G rollout across the UK - outcomes from the testbeds programme and next steps for rollout;
  • ‘5G and the future of transport: taking smart city services to the next level of connectivity… beyond the autonomous horse’
• Priorities for developing the key standards and infrastructure to support the implementation of smart cities in the UK:
  
  • ‘Connectivity challenges and opportunities in rural areas’;
  • The smart built environment - the way forward for planning, architecture, and construction;
  • Data infrastructure for urban areas - standardisation, integration, and utilisation; and
• Connected places in the UK - tackling the key challenges and examining the future landscape;
• Legal and regulatory issues - the implications for smart cities;
• Latest thinking on applications and use cases for innovative digital technologies in the smart city setting - connectivity, integration, and IoT devices

Developments that are relevant to the discussion:

It takes place with:

• The Government’s announcement of £5bn in funding to support the rollout of gigabit-capable broadband across the UK;
• The Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Bill announced in the Queen’s Speech;
• The GovTech Catalyst Challenge and Nesta’s ongoing Flying High Challenge on developing use cases for drones in urban environments; and
• The Government’s consultation last year on regulatory proposals for the security of consumer IoT devices, as well as the overall National Cyber Security Strategy for 2016-21.

Policy officials attending

Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders.

It’s certainly the case with this one. Places have been reserved by parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Commons and officials from BEIS; Cabinet Office; the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation; the Crown Commercial Service; DAATM; DCMS; Defra; the Department for International Trade; Department for the Economy NI; the Department for Transport; GCHQ; the Geospatial Commission; HM Revenue & Customs; Home Office; Homes England; the Information Commissioner's Office; MHCLG; the Ministry of Defence; the National Crime Agency; the National Cyber Security Centre; Ofcom; the Office of Rail and Road; UKRI and the Welsh Government.

This is a full-scale conference taking place online***

• full, four-hour programme including comfort breaks - you’ll also get a full recording to refer back to
• information-rich discussion involving key policymakers and stakeholders
• conference materials provided in advance, including speaker biographies
• speakers presenting via webcam, accompanied by slides if they wish, using the Cisco WebEx professional online conference platform (easy for delegates - we’ll provide full details)
• opportunities for live delegate questions and comments with all speakers
• a recording of the addresses, all slides cleared by speakers, and further materials, is made available to all delegates afterwards as a permanent record of the proceedings
• delegates are able to add their own written comments and articles following the conference, to be distributed to all attendees and more widely
• networking too - there will be opportunities for delegates to e-meet and interact - we’ll tell you how!

Full information and guidance on how to take part will be sent to delegates before the conference

***Full-scale policy conference taking place online***

This conference will consider the future development of digital payments in the UK.

Key areas for discussion:

Innovation, competition and the payments market

• UK payments architecture and infrastructure - designing and implementing the New Payments Architecture, and implications for large retail banks and potential new market entrants;
• New consumer-facing payment services - and the role of third-party payment providers, such as Account Information Service Providers (AISPs) and Payment Information Service Providers (PISPs);
• Open banking - its impact research and development, innovation in consumer-facing financial management and banking applications, competition, and practical consumer benefits;
• The FCA’s Regulatory Sandbox programme - progress in driving innovation, and further steps that the regulator might take in this area;
• Wider market dynamics - how developments in regulation and standards are impacting competition and the position of large-scale retail banks; and
• Start-ups and SMEs in the UK’s payments and fintech sector - what more action might be needed from policymakers and regulators, including promoting increased investment.

Security

• The Confirmation of Payee system - its introduction and the way forward for wider rollout;
• Developing and implementing greater levels of security and stronger payments authentication in the UK - and the impact on the speed, convenience, and security of online payments;
• Detection and prevention of payments fraud in the UK - next steps, taking into account the implementation of SCA requirements and the Confirmation of Payee system.

Inclusivity and support for consumers

• The future development of a cashless society - and ensuring that groups of consumers are not disenfranchised by the development and rollout of new digital payment services; and
• Assisting consumers in managing debt and personal finances - the potential for new digital payments services and money-management tools.

The COVID-19 epidemic

• We also expect discussion on what has been learned from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, with findings in last year’s independent Access to Cash Review that more than 8m UK adults would struggle to cope in a cashless society.

Developments that are relevant to the discussion:

• The Revised Payment Services Directive (PSD2) and the supplementary Regulatory Technical Standards having come into effect;
• Strong Customer Authentication - the FCA’s announcement of a phased implementation;
• New Payments Architecture (NPA) - the recent Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) call for input on the proposed NPA for interbank payments, emphasising innovation and competition;
• The Confirmation of Payee system - PSR not taking any formal action against banks who have not implemented system before the end of June 2020 as a result of COVID-19 related disruption.

The agenda:

• New Payments Architecture - designing and implementing the UK’s future system for interbank payments;
• Payments in the cashless society - what is needed to ensure that the growth in digital payment services does not disenfranchise cash-dependent consumers?;
• Regulatory priorities for the UK’s payments sector;
• Consumer priorities and the development of digital payment services - competition and choice, security and authentication, and inclusivity;
• The impact of the ongoing implementation of Open Banking standards on competition and
  innovation in payment services;
• Next steps for policy, regulation and industry in driving continued innovation in the UK’s payments sector; and
• Assessing the UK’s emerging payments landscape and responding to the key challenges facing the sector.

Policy officials attending:

Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders.

It’s certainly the case with this one. Places have been reserved by officials from BEIS; the CMA; HM Treasury; HMRC; the Information Commissioner's Office; the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation;  Treasury Legal Advisers; the Welsh Revenue Authority and the Department for International Trade.

This is a full-scale conference taking place online***

• full, four-hour programme including comfort breaks - you’ll also get a full recording to refer back to
• information-rich discussion involving key policymakers and stakeholders
• conference materials provided in advance, including speaker biographies
• speakers presenting via webcam, accompanied by slides if they wish, using the Cisco WebEx professional online conference platform (easy for delegates - we’ll provide full details)
• opportunities for live delegate questions and comments with all speakers
• a recording of the addresses, all slides cleared by speakers, and further materials, is made available to all delegates afterwards as a permanent record of the proceedings
• delegates are able to add their own written comments and articles following the conference, to be distributed to all attendees and more widely
• networking too - there will be opportunities for delegates to e-meet and interact - we’ll tell you how!

Full information and guidance on how to take part will be sent to delegates before the conference