Westminster eForum

This conference will be an opportunity to discuss priorities for network modernisation and ensuring competition in the sector, as well as the practical challenges of moving to an all IP-based landline system.

The discussion takes place in the context of:

• regulatory changes outlined in Ofcom’s consultation on the Wholesale Voice Markets Review for 2021-26
• the Ofcom auction of the 700 MHz and 3.6-3.8 GHz spectrum and the continued development of 5G services
• planned upgrades to landline infrastructure, including the intended migration to an all IP-based system delivered over broadband
• the CMA giving final UK regulatory approval of the merger between Virgin and O2 following initial concerns over wholesale voice market competition
• Ofcom’s consultation on the future of telephone numbers as it reviews its National Telephone Numbering Plan

Sessions in the agenda look at:

• the Wholesale Voice Markets Review:
  
  • with a keynote contribution from Brian Potterill, Director, Mobile Network Strategy, Ofcom
  • evaluating key stakeholder perspectives on competition, modernisation, and Ofcom’s National Telephone Numbering Plan
• consumers - assessing the impact of changing habits and the use of landline and mobile services, addressing the problem of scam calls, evaluating the termination rate cap, and ensuring the best deal for service users
• an all IP-based landline system - priorities for tackling the practical challenges for migration, infrastructure, regulation, and communication with consumers and business

The conference will be an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who are due to attend from DCMS; the ICO; the National Cyber Security Centre; Ofcom; the Home Office; DIT; the Department for the Economy, NI; HMRC; the Government Legal Department; the UK Space Agency; and the Welsh Government - as well as parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Commons.  

***Full-scale policy conference taking place online***
This conference will discuss progress, key issues, and next steps for meeting the Government’s targets for delivering gigabit-capable broadband.

We are pleased to be able to include keynote sessions with David Clarkson, Director, Competition Policy, Ofcom; James Heath, Chief Executive Officer, National Infrastructure Commission; Paul Norris, Executive Chair, Building Digital UK (BDUK), DCMS; and Dr Matt Yardley, Managing Partner, Analysys Mason.

It takes place in the context of Project Gigabit, which is aiming to deliver gigabit-capable broadband to at least 85% of UK premises by 2025.

Delegates will discuss progress and priorities for the future delivery of Project Gigabit, as well as Ofcom’s decisions on the regulatory framework relating to competition and investment in fibre networks, and the work of the DCMS Gigabit Take-up Advisory Group (GigaTAG).

Overall, the agenda will bring out latest thinking on:

• regulation - the future framework for the wholesale telecoms market and what it means for broadband delivery across the UK
• rollout - progress and key issues for meeting the Government’s 2025 target for gigabit broadband coverage, with discussion on investment, infrastructure, planning, and practical challenges
• competition - looking at the impact of the 2025 target on the market, the supply chain, and associated retail services
• wider impact - unlocking the broader benefits of gigabit broadband and the potential role of ultrafast connectivity in supporting economic development, regional growth, and decarbonisation
• uptake - key issues and priorities for broadband customers, including improving reliability, coverage, reducing not-spots, and enabling simple switching

Attendees

Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders. Places have been reserved by parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Commons and officials from the Cabinet Office; the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport; the Department for Education; the Department for International Trade; the Department for the Economy, NI; the Government Legal Department; HM Revenue & Customs; the National Audit Office; the National Infrastructure Commission; Ofcom; the Office for National Statistics; The Scottish Government; the UK Space Agency; and the Welsh Government. Also due to attend are representatives from BT; Cartesian; Community Fibre; DMSL; Fibrus Networks; Glide; Jacobs UK; Kelly Group; Marketing; National Farmers' Union; Openreach; Operis; Plum Consulting London; Prism Business Consulting; PwC; Scottish Futures Trust; University of Leeds; VX Fiber; and Which?.

Press passes have been reserved by representatives from Advanced Television; Computer Weekly; Satellite Evolution Group; TelcoTitans; Total Telecom; and ZDNet.

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

• full, four-hour programme including comfort breaks - you’ll also get a full recording and transcript 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 are 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 look at priorities for regulating emerging technology in the UK following the publication of Digital Regulation: Driving growth and unlocking innovation from DCMS, which outlines the overall policy vision for governing digital technologies as well as plans for a more coherent and streamlined regulatory landscape.

We are pleased to be able to include keynote contributions from Sarah Montgomery, Deputy Director, Regulatory Horizons Council and International, Better Regulation Executive, BEIS; Simon Parnall, Programme Director, Broadcast, Media and Gaming Technology, Ofcom; as well as Dr Scott Steedman, Director-General, Standards, British Standards Institute; and Dr Peter Waggett, Director, Hartree National Centre for Digital Innovation, IBM.

Overall, sessions in the agenda look at:

• the impact of emerging technology on the shifting landscape for regulation
• legal, policy, security, and regulatory priorities - stakeholder views on supporting innovation while understanding risks, regulatory agility, IP, and strategies for effective knowledge sharing across sectors
• supporting adoption:
  
  • the practical impact of emerging technology on solving real-world challenges
  • skills development and promoting career paths
• priorities for research and development and tackling barriers to cross-sector collaboration
• supporting innovation, facilitating investment in emerging technologies, and engagement across the public and private sectors
• policy priorities - including the way forward for cross-sector standardisation and promoting the UK’s role as a global leader in the development and use of emerging tech

We also expect discussion on how the regulatory framework can most effectively support the use of emerging technology in the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and as part of wider policy initiatives, such as sustainability and net-zero ambitions.

Attendees

Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders. Places have been reserved by parliamentary pass-holders from the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology and officials from BEIS; the Cabinet Office; the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation; the Competition and Markets Authority; DAERA, NI; the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory; Defra; the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport; the Department for International Trade; the Department for Transport; the Department of Health and Social Care; the Geospatial Commission; the Government Communications Headquarters; the Government Legal Department; the Government Office for Science; the Health and Safety Executive; HM Revenue & Customs; HM Treasury; the Home Office; the Information Commissioner’s Office; the Intellectual Property Office; the Maritime and Coastguard Agency; the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency; the Military Aviation Authority; the Ministry of Defence; the Ministry of Justice; the National Crime Agency; Ofcom; the Office for Life Sciences; the Office for Product Safety and Standards; the UK Space Agency; The Scottish Government; and the Welsh Government. Also due to attend are representatives from the AIRTO; ARPAS-UK; Arqiva; BT; Burges Salmon; Cardiff Metropolitan University; Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; Clifford Chance; Connected Places Catapult; Gemserv; Glide; Gowling WLG; Healys; Innovate UK; Liverpool John Moores University; Loughborough University; Russells; The Chartered Institute for IT; University College London; and Wiggin.

Press passes have been reserved by representatives from Satellite Evolution Group and ZDNet.

For this conference, as is typical of our meetings, we expect speakers and other delegates to be an informed group comprised of Members of both Houses of Parliament, and senior government officials involved in this area of public policy, together with regulators, as well as from other stakeholders in artificial intelligence, immersive technologies, spectrum, and quantum development including tech companies, investment groups, engineering firms, IT and software developers, law firms and patent attorneys, consultancy groups, social media companies, telecoms and media groups, market researchers, transport groups, as well as researchers in academia and higher education, as well as reporters from the national and specialist media.

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

• full, four-hour programme including comfort breaks - you’ll also get a full recording and transcript 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 are 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

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 be a timely opportunity to examine the Government’s Online Advertising Programme - which is considering the current framework for regulating online advertising and fraudulent, misleading, or harmful content - as well as priorities for ongoing work to ensure the regulation of online advertising is reflective of the evolving digital market.

We are delighted to be able to include keynote addresses from:

• Dr Nicola Mazzarotto, Global Head of Economics, KPMG
• Guy Parker, Chief Executive Officer, Advertising Standards Authority
• Jon Riley, Director, Consumer Protection, Competition and Markets Authority
• Ruth Wye, Head of Online Advertising Programme, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Attendees

Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders. Places have been reserved by officials from BEIS; the Cabinet Office; the Competition and Markets Authority; the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport; the Department of Health and Social Care; the Information Commissioner's Office; Ofcom; and the Office for Product Safety and Standards. Also due to attend are representatives from A+E Networks; Advertising Standards Authority (ASA); Airbnb UK; Alcohol Focus Scotland; Amazon UK; Analysys Mason; Arqiva; Bates Wells Braithwaite London; BBC; Better Collective; BGL Group; BPI; BT; Burges Salmon; CAP; Carnegie UK; CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang; Discovery; dmgmedia; Frontier Economics; Fundraising Regulator; Google; Gumtree.com; Herbert Smith Freehills; IOP Publishing; ISBA; Lewis Silkin; Macmillan Cancer Support; Motors.co.uk; Omnicom Media Group UK; Pinsent Masons; Reynolds Porter Chamberlain; Russells Solicitors; Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe; TikTok; UK Finance; and University of Essex.

Press passes have been reserved by representatives from TechCrunch and The Complaining Cow.

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

• full, four-hour programme including comfort breaks - you’ll also get a full recording and transcript 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 are 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

When it happened…

Monday, 13 September 2021

What delegates came to discuss…

This conference will discuss priorities for the new cyber security strategy as it is prepared by the Government, with its publication anticipated for later this year, following the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy.

The discussion also takes place as the Telecoms Security Bill continues its progress through Parliament. The Bill aims to improve the security of the UK’s telecommunications networks, including measures such as the introduction of Telecoms Security Requirements (TSRs) and a new general duty for Ofcom to ensure telecoms providers comply with security duties.

We are pleased to be able to include keynote addresses including:

• Developing the UK’s Cyber Security Strategy - progress and next steps - from Erika Lewis, Director, Cyber Security and Digital Identity, Department for Culture, Media and Sport
• Strategies for cooperation on a world stage - strengthening international partnerships, and promoting a free, open, peaceful, and secure cyberspace - from Dr Claudia Natanson, Chair, UK Cyber Security Council
• Improving the UK's cyber resilience in the face of emerging threats - from Irfan Hemani, Deputy Director - Cyber Security, Department for Culture, Media and Sport
• Managing cyber risk and underpinning digital prosperity - key considerations for the public and private sector - from Kevin Brown, Managing Director, BT Security

Who attended…

Officials from BEIS; the Cabinet Office; the Competition and Markets Authority; the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport; the Department for International Trade; the Department of Health and Social Care; the Geospatial Commission; the Government Legal Department; HM Revenue & Customs; the Home Office; the Information Commissioner's Office; the National Audit Office; the National Crime Agency; the National Cyber Security Centre; Ofcom; the UK Space Agency; the Department for the Economy, NI; The Scottish Government; the Welsh Government; and the Welsh Revenue Authority.

Representatives from Al-Hasaniya Morocan Women's Project; Baringa Partners; BCL Solicitors; Census Labs; Cheltenham Ladies' College; Cullen International SA; CyTAL; Financial Reporting Council; Ipsos MORI; Jonas Software UK; Local Government Association; LoCTA; Mayer Brown International; NATS; Omdia; Pinsent Masons; Slaughter and May; Spirent Communications; Taylor Wessing; Tendring District Council; University of Greenwich; and Yoti.

Press: Diginomica; Infosecurity Magazine; and S&P Global.

When it happened…

Wednesday, 21 July 2021

What delegates came to discuss…

This conference will examine latest developments in biometrics and digital identity - as well as priorities for future regulation and its use in the UK.

It will be an opportunity to discuss the Government’s UK Digital Identity and Attributes Trust Framework policy paper - which sets out a framework for the principles, policies, procedures, and standards governing the use of digital identity and data, and aims to enable interoperability and increase public confidence - as the Government seeks stakeholder views before publishing the next iteration in the summer.

Speaking as it was published, the Minister for Digital Infrastructure, Matt Warman MP, said:

“Establishing trust online is absolutely essential if we are to unleash the future potential of our digital economy.

Our aim is to help people confidently verify themselves while safeguarding their privacy so we can build back better and fairer from the pandemic.”

Proposals included in the framework include:

• having a data management policy which explains how data is created, obtained, disclosed, protected, and deleted
• following industry standards and best practice for information security and encryption 
• telling the user if any changes have been made to their digital identity, for example an update to their address
• where appropriate, having a detailed account recovery process and notifying users if organisations suspect someone has fraudulently accessed their account or used their digital identity
• guidance on how to choose secure authenticators to protect online services

The conference also comes with the appointment of the new Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner, Professor Fraser Sampson, who we are pleased to be able to include as a keynote speaker at this conference.

Further keynote contributors include: Professor Watson Gandy, Chair, Home Office Biometrics and Forensic Ethics Group - as well as Dr Ana Beduschi, Associate Professor of Law, University of Exeter Law School; Julie Dawson, Head of Regulation and Policy, Yoti; Professor James Ferryman, Senior Lecturer in Computer Science; Member, Computational Vision Group, University of Reading; and Reema Patel, Associate Director, Ada Lovelace Institute.

The agenda will bring out latest thinking on:

• ethical considerations and regulatory priorities
• priorities for building robust digital identity infrastructures
• developing the market for digital identity services - including examining the role of APIs in improving privacy, security, and interoperability across online services

Who attended…

Officials from BEIS; the Cabinet Office; the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation; the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport; the Department for Education; the Government Digital Service; the Government Legal Department; HM Revenue & Customs; the Home Office; the Information Commissioner's Office; the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government; the National Cyber Security Centre; The Scottish Government; the Welsh Government; and the Welsh Revenue Authority.

Representatives from Baker & McKenzie; Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner; BT; Credit Suisse; Freshfields; Linklaters; Metropolitan Police Service; Monzo Bank; Pinsent Masons; Sky UK; Taylor Wessing; The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children; UK Finance; University of Aberdeen; University of Oxford and West London Centre for Counselling.

Press: Infosecurity Magazine; MLex and ZDNet.

Westminster eForum keynote seminar
Next steps for protecting children online
Morning, Tuesday, 29th June 2021

Full replays of Westminster eForum conferences are made available within one week of the live broadcast, providing a timely and permanent record of proceedings for delegates on the day, for our policymaker contacts in parliament, government and regulation, and wider stakeholders in business, advocacy groups and beyond.

Accompanying material includes a ready-reference transcript, copies of the speakers’ presentation material, the delegate information pack, and relevant articles supplied by attendees after the conference.

The agenda can be viewed here.

Westminster eForum policy conference
Next steps for developing the UK’s drone sector
Morning, Monday, 28th June 2021

Full replays of Westminster eForum conferences are made available within one week of the live broadcast, providing a timely and permanent record of proceedings for delegates on the day, for our policymaker contacts in parliament, government and regulation, and wider stakeholders in business, advocacy groups and beyond.

Accompanying material includes a ready-reference transcript, copies of the speakers’ presentation material, the delegate information pack, and relevant articles supplied by attendees after the conference.

The agenda can be viewed here.

When it happened…

Wednesday, 7 July 2021

What delegates came to discuss…

This conference will examine the next steps for taking forward the AI roadmap, and the outlook for artificial intelligence in the UK.

It is timed to feed in to the development of the Government’s planned National AI Strategy, and follows the publication of the AI Roadmap earlier this year from the AI Council, which provides recommendations for strategy - as well as the AI review from UKRI, setting out opportunities for unlocking its potential across the UK.

We are pleased to be able to include keynote contributions from: Professor Dame Wendy Hall, Regius Professor of Computer Science, Southampton University, and UK AI Skills Champion; Stephen Bonner, Executive Director, Regulatory Futures and Innovation, Information Commissioner’s Office; Jeremy Darot, Head of Data Innovation, The Scottish Government; Tabitha Goldstaub, Co-founder, CogX, and Chair, UK Government’s AI Council; Sana Khareghani, Deputy Director, Head of Office for Artificial Intelligence; and Jessica Smith, Deputy Director, Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation.

Areas for discussion include:

• the AI roadmap - priorities for taking the roadmap forward, and next steps for developing a national strategy
• AI-driven decision making - tackling biases and improving transparency
• the development of AI services - and priorities for developing the data infrastructure and research and development systems needed
• establishing UK leadership - the UK’s role as a world leader in AI and emerging technology, and ensuring the availability of skills and resources

Who attended…

Officials from BEIS; British Embassy Hanoi; British High Commission; the Cabinet Office; the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation; the Competition and Markets Authority; the DCMS; the Department for International Trade; the Department for Transport; the DHSC; the DWP; Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office; the Geospatial Commission; the Government Communications Headquarters;  the Government Legal Department; the Government Office for Science; the Health and Safety Executive; HM Revenue & Customs; HM Treasury; the Home Office; Information Commissioner’s Office; the Intellectual Property Office; the Joint Air Quality Unit; the Maritime and Coastguard Agency; the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency; the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government; the Ministry of Defence; the Ministry of Justice; the National Audit Office; the National Cyber Security Centre; Ofcom; the UK Space Agency and the Welsh Government.

Representatives from 1Spatial; Arqiva; Arthur Cox; Baringa Partners; BPE Solicitors; BPI; British Educational Suppliers Association; Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner; BT; BT Group; Cambridge Consultants; City University of London; Contego Sports; Coproduce Care; Cranfield University; defenddigitalme; Deloitte; Digital Jersey; Durham University; Elsevier; Foot Anstey; Genuit Group; Government Internal Audit Agency; Innovate UK; Ipathdigital Community Interest Company; Jacobs; Jisc; Jonas Software UK; Loughborough University; Manufacturing Technology Centre; Microsoft; Monzo Bank; Music Publishers Association; National Institute for Health Research; NETSCC; New College of Humanities, London; NHS Digital; Oxford Brookes University; Pinsent Masons; Playtech; Royal Air Force; SAGE Publishing; Sky UK; Slaughter and May; Taylor & Francis; Technation; Teesside University; The Centre for Modelling & Simulation; The Data Lab; The eAssessment Association; Trilateral Research; UK Open Government Network - algorithmic working group; University of Bath; University of Buckingham; University of Edinburgh; University of Leeds; University of Northumbria; University of Nottingham; University of Surrey; WarnerMedia; West of England AHSN and Which?.
Press: AI Business; IT Pro; Satellite Evolution Group; Warren Communications News and ZDNet.

Westminster eForum policy conference
Next steps for UK data protection
Morning, Wednesday, 23rd June 2021

Full replays of Westminster eForum conferences are made available within one week of the live broadcast, providing a timely and permanent record of proceedings for delegates on the day, for our policymaker contacts in parliament, government and regulation, and wider stakeholders in business, advocacy groups and beyond.

Accompanying material includes a ready-reference transcript, copies of the speakers’ presentation material, the delegate information pack, and relevant articles supplied by attendees after the conference.

The agenda can be viewed here.

Westminster eForum policy conference
Next steps for the digital payments
Morning, Thursday, 10th June 2021

Full replays of Westminster eForum conferences are made available within one week of the live broadcast, providing a timely and permanent record of proceedings for delegates on the day, for our policymaker contacts in parliament, government and regulation, and wider stakeholders in business, advocacy groups and beyond.

Accompanying material includes a ready-reference transcript, copies of the speakers’ presentation material, the delegate information pack, and relevant articles supplied by attendees after the conference.

The agenda can be viewed here.

Westminster eForum policy conference
Next steps for UK mobile - market dynamics, coverage, spectrum and 5G development
Morning, Thursday, 29th April 2021

Full replays of Westminster eForum conferences are made available within one week of the live broadcast, providing a timely and permanent record of proceedings for delegates on the day, for our policymaker contacts in parliament, government and regulation, and wider stakeholders in business, advocacy groups and beyond.

Accompanying material includes a ready-reference transcript, copies of the speakers’ presentation material, the delegate information pack, and relevant articles supplied by attendees after the conference.

The agenda can be viewed here.

***Full-scale policy conference taking place online***
This conference will examine the way forward for regulation and competition in digital markets, and the evolving role of platforms.

Areas for discussion include:

• the role of the Digital Markets Unit in addressing digital competition issues going forward, and what further action might be needed from policymakers and regulators
• the international regulatory landscape
• the evolving role of platforms and regulation in tackling online harm

The conference will be an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who are due to attend from: the DCMS; BEIS; the Cabinet Office; the CMA; the DfT; DHSC; the DIT; the European Union Delegation to the United Kingdom; the Government Legal Department; HMRC; HM Treasury; the Information Commissioner’s Office; the Intellectual Property Office; Ofcom; and the Prime Minister’s Office; as well as parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Lords and the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology.

The agenda

• Competition regulation in the global digital economy - the evolving landscape
• Developing a competition regime for digital markets in the UK
• Addressing competition issues in digital markets - setting out clear guidelines, encouraging innovation and supporting smaller enterprises, and ensuring consumer benefit
• Next steps for international collaboration and developing effective digital competition frameworks worldwide
• The evolving role of platforms in tackling online harm - setting boundaries, freedom of expression, and the future for regulation
• Key priorities for the new Digital Markets Unit and policy in the UK

Areas for discussion:

• digital competition - the international landscape, and key developments in the sector
• regulation - priorities for developing a competition regime for digital markets in the UK, and the role of the Digital Markets Unit:
  
  • a code of conduct - looking at development and enforceability of a regime for platforms funded by digital advertising that are designated as having strategic market status
  • enforcement practicalities:
    
    • assessing what powers will be needed for the Digital Market Unit to be effective
    • looking at the ability to impose financial penalties for non-compliance, and introduce pro-competitive interventions
  • regulatory agility and future proofing - how can it be ensured that the Digital Markets Unit is able to adapt to changing market conditions and dynamics
  • SMEs and new entrants - the role of any future regulation framework in addressing barriers and supporting smaller players
  • M&A activity in digital markets - assessing its impact, as well as the role of regulation in fostering innovation and safeguarding consumer benefit
• international approaches to regulation - priorities, and what can be learned from developments and practice in different territories:
  
  • the impact of the European Commission’s Digital Markets Act and Digital Services Act:
    
    • with the EU Commissioner for the Internal Market, Thierry Breton, writing in a column for Politico following events early this year: ‘Just as 9/11 marked a paradigm shift for global security, 20 years later we are witnessing a before-and-after in the role of digital platforms in our democracy’
• the US regulatory framework and whether steps are needed to curb the power of Big Tech:
  
  • including potential changes to Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act - under which internet platforms can publish and moderate content from third parties without being held legally liable for what they say 
• the evolving role of platforms in tackling online harm - and implications for future regulation and liability:
  
  • freedom of expression online - following a number of platforms banning President Trump following unrest in Washington DC, and removing support for Parler
  • online harm - assessing effectiveness of strategies and actions taken so far by online platforms and social media companies in tackling online harm, disinformation and misinformation
  • how regulation in the UK will need to adapt:
    
    • as Ofcom is appointed as regulator for online harms, alongside the setting up of the Digital Market Unit
    • with the Health Secretary commenting that the action of platforms 'raises regulation questions' going forward

The context for discussion:

• UK competition watchdog warns Big Tech of coming antitrust probes - FT interview with CMA chief executive Andrea Coscelli, saying that the Authority will launch a series of antitrust investigations into Big Tech practices over the coming year
• regulating digital markets in the UK:
  
  • Oliver Dowden warns Facebook of UK crackdown on Big Tech - the Daily Telegraph reporting that the UK won’t shy away from intervening with Big Tech if it is in the public interest to do so, following the disputes between Facebook and the Australian government
  • the establishment of the Digital Markets Unit - within the Competition and Markets Authority, and designed to regulate digital markets in the UK
  • advice from the CMA’s Digital Markets Taskforce - on the design and implementation of a new regulatory regime for digital markets
  • Unlocking digital competition - the final report of the Digital Competition Expert Panel, chaired by Professor Jason Furman, which included a call for the creation of the Digital Markets Unit
  • Algorithms: How they can reduce competition and harm consumers - the CMA’s Data, Technology and Analytics (DaTA) Unit has called for views following the publication of their report, which warns that the misuse of algorithms can reduce competition online and harm consumers
• international approaches to regulation:
  
  • the European Commission’s Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act - which aim to keep digital markets and services open and contestable across the EU, address competition concerns in fast-moving digital markets, better protect consumers, and encourage transparency
  • ongoing discussion in the US about whether steps are needed to curb the power of platforms
  • dispute between the Australian government and Facebook - after introduction of draft legislation seeking to redistribute advertising revenue from Google and Facebook to news outlets
• tackling online harm and implications for regulation:
  
  • the Online Harms White Paper - with aims to protect children and vulnerable people online, plans for a new duty of care, and government commitments to publishing an Online Safety Bill, which is expected to be published this year
  • appointment of Ofcom as online harms regulator - with plans to publish its initial thinking on its approach, also this year
  • vaccine misinformation - Facebook, Twitter and Google agreeing to work with public health bodies to promote factual and reliable messages, and limit the spread of misinformation and disinformation

Policy officials attending:

Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders. Places have been reserved by parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Lords and the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, and officials from BEIS; the Cabinet Office; the Competition and Markets Authority; the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport; the Department for Health and Social Care; the Department for International Trade; the Department for Transport; the European Union Delegation to the United Kingdom; the Government Legal Department; HM Revenue & Customs; HM Treasury; the Information Commissioner's Office; the Intellectual Property Office; Ofcom; and the Prime Minister’s Office.
Overall, we expect speakers and attendees to be a senior and informed group including Members of both Houses of Parliament, senior government officials involved in this area of public policy, together with digital and social media platforms, consumer technology companies, digital advertising companies, data analytics companies, artificial intelligence and machine learning companies, other industry representatives from across the technology and digital sectors, lawyers and consultants with an interest in these topics, organisations and individuals representing the views of consumers and citizens, regulators, academics and reporters from the national and trade media.

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

• full, four-hour programme including comfort breaks - you’ll also get a full recording and transcript 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

Westminster eForum policy conference
Next steps for decarbonising the UK tech sector - sector decarbonisation, international leadership, and the role of technology in meeting wider green challenges
Morning, Thursday, 6th May 2021

Full replays of Westminster eForum conferences are made available within one week of the live broadcast, providing a timely and permanent record of proceedings for delegates on the day, for our policymaker contacts in parliament, government and regulation, and wider stakeholders in business, advocacy groups and beyond.

Accompanying material includes a ready-reference transcript, copies of the speakers’ presentation material, the delegate information pack, and relevant articles supplied by attendees after the conference.

The agenda can be viewed here.

***Full-scale policy conference taking place online***
This conference focuses on next steps for the development of immersive technologies.

The discussion takes place with immersive tech regarded by industry and policymakers as set to have a major impact on the shape of entertainment and gaming, education and training, medicine, the emergency services, and a range of wider sectors and services.

The agenda will bring out latest thinking in areas including:

• research, emerging uses and their implications for sectors and the wider economy
• priorities for funding, collaboration and what is needed to support the pace of innovation
• issues around data, ethical issues and regulation
• how the UK can realise the economic, cultural and social benefits of VR, AR, MR and haptic technology

The conference will be an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who are due to attend from BEIS; the Cabinet Office; the CMA; the DCMS; DIT; Department for The Economy, NI; the DfT; GCHQ; HMRC; the Home Office; the IPO; the Maritime and Coastguard Agency; the MOD; Ofcom; the UK Space Agency; and the Welsh Government.

The agenda

• Developing the UK’s immersive technologies sector - progress so far and next steps for supporting innovation
• Taking forward immersive technology in the UK
  
  • Research and development in immersive technology in the UK - collaboration between universities and industry, and international partnerships
  • Funding and supporting emerging projects, and encouraging widespread uptake
• Addressing key issues around data, and wider ethical and regulatory implications of the latest developments in immersive technologies
• How can the UK realise the economic, cultural and social benefits of VR, AR, MR and haptic technology

Key areas for discussion:

• research and innovation - next steps and priorities for support, looking at:
  
  • the role of Digital Catapult - as well as tapping into the work of the Augmentor acceleration programme and Immersive Labs
  • UK competitive advantage - how best to build on strong research systems and established collaboration between the public sector, academia, and industry
  • international collaboration - the outlook for the future in the context of the end of the transition period, and the UK’s role in the international market
  • skills - next steps for developing the skills and training programmes required to support sector growth, and strategies for better working with education providers
• funding - assessing the evolving landscape:
  
  • assessing potential impact - examining new funding provision, such as from UKRI, and how it can best support innovation in the sector
  • funding distribution - how best to ensure financial support is spread effectively across the sector, as well as priorities for supporting start-ups and small businesses
  • investor relationships - making the sector attractive for investment and financing, and helping to connect businesses with prospective funding sources 
• connectivity - supporting the development of national infrastructure, such as 5G and consistent broadband, to enable sector growth 
• commercialisation - developing use cases and workable applications across diverse sectors, as well as tackling remaining technical and practical barriers to adoption and commercialisation, including:
  
  • video games and the arts - assessing the changing market and how immersive products and marketing are adapting to the impact of the pandemic
  • innovation and new opportunities - evolving the immersive tech offering, and its role in improving education and wellbeing
  • profile raising - what more can be done to demonstrate practical applications and possible use cases to support rollout
  • societal contribution - including the role of immersive tech in education and improving wellbeing, and in supporting economic recovery 
• driving growth - what more might be required from policymakers, research bodies, and businesses to support the sector and the UK’s international competitiveness going forward
• ethical and regulatory issues - how to address potential concerns around data use and protection arising from the widespread utilisation of immersive technologies, including personalised advertising, and how industry practice, regulation, and policy may need to respond

Relevant developments:

• Beyond the early adopter: widening the appeal for virtual reality - the Creative Industries Policy & Evidence Centre (PEC) outlining key principles for overcoming barriers to the adoption of immersive technology in the cultural industries
• Government response to the DCMS Select Committee Report on Immersive and Addictive Technologies - with commitments on research, online safety, esports, disinformation and diversity
• the Digital Catapult’s ongoing work on immersive technology - including its Augmentor acceleration programme supporting start-ups, Immersive Arcade showcasing UK innovation, and promulgating latest research and best practice, including in light of COVID-19, through its Immersive Audience Journey report
• £29m government funding to boost digital revolution and help keep people safe online - announcing support through UKRI, including testing how immersive technology can improve education, following previous funding through the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund
• Supporting the UK’s Wireless Future - Ofcom’s consultation on plans to manage the use of the radio spectrum over the next decade in order to meet challenges, including those arising from connected devices and new applications - including augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) - driving demand for faster, more reliable, and lower or more consistent latency Wi-Fi
• AI Roadmap - the AI Council’s independent report calling on the Government to establish a UK national strategy and to scale up investment
• Virtual reality: pandemic leads to rise in headset sales to escape lockdown - reported by The Times to be up by 350%

Policy officials attending:

Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders. Places have been reserved by parliamentary pass-holders from the All Party Parliamentary Group for Children's Media and the Arts, and officials from BEIS; the Cabinet Office; the Competition and Markets Authority; the DCMS; the Department for International Trade; the Department for the Economy, NI; the Department for Transport; GCHQ; the Geospatial Commission; HM Revenue & Customs; the Home Office; the Intellectual Property Office; the Maritime and Coastguard Agency; the Ministry of Defence; Ofcom; 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 and transcript 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 examine next steps for the National Data Strategy (NDS) - and the steps that will be needed for its key aims, including:

• growth - the Government achieving its aims for boosting the UK economy through the use of data
• safety - improving regulation around data protection and privacy

Delegates will assess the proposals in the Strategy and key issues for implementation, with discussion on:

• supporting business innovation, as well as the use of data and priorities for harnessing it to boost productivity and the economy
• improving the use of data in the delivery of services in local and national government
• data protection, privacy and safeguarding
• developing data skills
• IP issues and the future of the international flow of data - as the EU releases draft data adequacy decisions which support continued free flow of data between the EU and the UK

The discussion is bringing together stakeholders with key policy officials who are due to attend from the Cabinet Office; DCMS; the CDEI; the CMA; DfT; DWP; the Geospatial Commission; Government Banking; the Government Legal Department; HMRC; Home Office; the IPO; the MOD; the MOJ; the NAO; the Office for Artificial Intelligence; the ONS; Ofcom; the Serious Fraud Office; The Scottish Government; and the Welsh Government.

The agenda

• The Data Strategy and next steps for implementation
• The use of data within government - improving usability, coordination, responsiveness, and service delivery
• Data protection, privacy and safeguarding - intellectual property, early indications following transition from the EU, and regulatory priorities going forward
• Developing data skills in the UK
• Next steps for developing the international flow of data
• Maximising the potential of data to boost the economy - supporting private sector innovation, closing labour market skills gaps, and improving productivity

Key areas for discussion:

• data and economic growth:
  
  • the potential - assessing policy and strategic priorities for unlocking the value of data across the economy, developing the skills base, and supporting productivity
  • infrastructure - how to support better use of data to inform development and need as outlined in the Strategy
  • resilience - priorities for the working group on developing the National Digital Twin of the UK’s infrastructure systems and built environment
  • interoperability and access - options for policy and industry in improving data availability and standards
  • the UK data sector - options for supporting:
    
    • innovation - and the commercialisation of research in data-driven enterprises and services
    • growth - in new and established businesses, research bodies and academic institutions involved in data services and R&D
    • international leadership - what will be need to secure the UK’s positioning in the sector globally
• data protection and privacy:
  
  • balancing strategic priorities:
    
    • data-driven economic growth - a focus for policy through encouragement of widespread uptake of digital technologies
    • security and regulatory agility - the development of a strong and sustainable data protection regime that is able to adapt over time
  • business use of data:
    
    • encouraging best practice - including options for incentivising responsivity and transparency, and for further regulation and legislation
    • data literacy - latest thinking on ways to develop citizen empowerment, backed by the skills and resources for choosing when to share personal data and how it is used
• data use in government:
  
  • the new Government Chief Data Officer - priorities for their role in developing the approach across the quality, coordination and use of data in government to improve services
  • coordination - creating joined-up data infrastructure with effective data sharing between organisations
  • efficiency - how to streamline the collection and management of data results, so as to improve service delivery and minimise burden on organisational resources and capacity
  • public trust - priorities for:
    
    • data protection - ensuring strong practices across the public sector
    • communication - strategies for greater clarity and transparency on the collection, governance and use of personal data
• data skills - how key challenges for developing data skills outlined in the NDS can be overcome, looking at:
  
  • a coordinated vision - what does it look like, and what are the roles of stakeholders in education, business and government in achieving it
  • priority skills - clarity on data skill sets most needed by the economy, and joining up the needs of employers with the aims of those entering education, training and the workforce
  • the education and training system:
    
    • education and qualifications providers - priorities for better integrating data skills into education provision, and preparing those entering the job market for the data economy
    • industry and policymakers and regulators - options for fostering the data and digital skills directly applicable to the workplace, including work placements and apprenticeships
  • data-skilled businesses - how organisations of all scales, including SMEs, can be supported in developing greater understanding and abilities in:
    
    • reducing inefficiencies and driving up quality and growth
    • investment decisions and understanding in leadership groups of organisational and operational strategy driven by the use of data
• the UK’s future standing in the international data landscape:
  
  • life outside the EU - implications of outcomes of data adequacy arrangements for European and global business links and flow of data following the UK’s transition from the EU
  • new relationships - next steps for developing effective international data sharing and partnerships with businesses, governments and agencies

Relevant developments:

• UK National Data Strategy consultation - with government analysing feedback on whether the NDS proposals are fit for purpose in relation to data opportunities, challenges and potential trade-offs
• ICO publishes new Data Sharing Code of Practice - including guidance for continued responsible data sharing
• new guidance from the CDEI - on the use of data in local government during COVID-19, and support the use of data-driven innovation
• New review into use of health data for research and analysis - launched by DHSC, which will feed into the forthcoming Data Strategy for Health and Social Care
• the National Infrastructure Strategy - setting sets out plans for transformation across the UK
• Enhancing the UK’s Geospatial Ecosystem - with development of the UK location data market highlighted in the Geospatial Commission’s recent report on growing the geospatial economy
• Addressing trust in public sector data use - the CDEI report highlighting the importance of alignment with societal values and expectations underpinned by consistency and clear communication
• Introducing the Government Data Quality Hub:
  
  • rebranding of the Government Statistical Service Quality Centre as the DQHub, with a wider remit to help improve data quality and analysis across government
  • The Government Data Quality Framework - from the DQHub with data quality action plans, guidance on metadata, and an introduction to data maturity models
• skills and leadership in government:
  
  • the ONS’s Data Science Campus training 500 data analysts across the public sector in cutting edge data science and tech fellowships to be offered each year in Downing Street
  • appointment of a Government Chief Data Officer to lead a whole-government approach to transform the use of data in government
• The future of citizen data systems - the Government Office for Science report of the way citizen data is governed, controlled and used in the UK and other countries, and current trends
• Online Harms White Paper - setting out plans for improving the regulatory landscape for combatting online harms and protecting personal data
• the Digital Strategy - which will outline further proposals for how the government will support a digital drive for growth
• Government Technology Innovation Strategy - which set out plans for improving the use of data and technology across government
• Industrial Strategy: building a Britain fit for the future - aiming to make the UK the world’s most innovative economy, as well as to spearhead the use of emerging technologies
• NHS COVID-19 app - promoting concerns from some around increased data sharing and privacy, and impact on the potential effectiveness of the Government’s test and trace strategy

Policy officials attending:

Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders. Places have been reserved by parliamentary pass-holders from both Houses of Parliament, and officials from the Cabinet Office; the Centre For Data Ethics and Innovation; the CMA; DCMS; the Department for Transport; DWP; the Geospatial Commission; Government Banking; the Government Legal Department; HM Revenue & Customs; the Home Office; the Intellectual Property Office; the Ministry of Defence; Ministry of Justice; the National Audit Office; the Office for Artificial Intelligence; the Office for National Statistics; Ofcom; the Serious Fraud 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 and transcript 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 examines latest developments in developing quantum technologies in the UK.

Areas for discussion include:

• development and applications of quantum technologies
• investment and the research landscape
• the way forward for commercialisation and regulation

The seminar is bringing together stakeholders with key policy officials who are due to attend from BEIS; the Cabinet Office; DCMS; the IPO; the DSTL; DIT; the DfT; the European Space Agency; the Geospatial Commission; the Home Office; the MOD; and The Scottish Government.

The agenda

• Developing the UK’s quantum technologies sector - progress so far, and lessons learnt from the first phase of the Quantum Technologies Programme
• Taking forward quantum technology in the UK - priorities for the second phase of the of the Quantum Technologies Programme and use cases for quantum technology across the UK economy
• Research and development in quantum technologies in the UK - funding, collaboration between universities and industry, and international partnerships
• The impact of new investment on the growth of quantum technologies - supporting emerging projects and applications in the UK, and tackling key barriers to development and widespread uptake
• Developing quantum technologies in the UK - priorities for commercialisation and the UK Quantum Technologies Challenge programme

Key areas for discussion:

• the UK National Quantum Technology Programme - assessing progress, what lessons can be learnt from phase one, and the priorities for phase two:
  
  • the four hubs - assessing the work on sensors and timing, imaging, computing and simulation, and communications technologies, and plans going forward
  • progress on individual projects - such as the new National Quantum Computing Centre
  • next steps - what more is needed from policy, research institutions, and industry to support quantum sector development, and the UK’s international competitiveness and positioning
• the evolving landscape - looking at research, skills and funding in the sector:
  
  • the skills challenge - what is needed to secure the UK’s position in quantum technologies, and the impact of the Centres for Doctoral Training
  • international partnerships - prospects and priorities for growing global relationships in the development and commercialisation of quantum with the end of the EU exit transition period
  • UK cross-sector collaboration - strategies and best practice for developing effective joint working between the public sector, academia, and industry
• commercialisation, scaling up and uptake:
  
  • the commercialising quantum technologies programme - its impact, and how the findings from the projects might be applied more broadly
  • proof of concepts - demonstrating practical applications of quantum technologies and possible use cases to support rollout
  • priority uses - examining the Government’s outline funding and the focus of support plans for addressing global and industrial challenges
  • tackling barriers - managing quantum development, including technical challenges of scalability, stability, and reliability, and integration with existing systems and computing processes
  • regulation - priorities for the framework and policy to support the developing technology, address any ethical and market issues, and be able to adapt as quantum technology advances
  • public sector investment - assessing initiatives and commitments already announced, and the way forward and focus for supporting research in UK universities and research institutions
  • private funding - what more may be needed from policy to incentivise private sector investment, increase the availability and diversity of funding sources, and better connect those in the sector with potential backers

Background and developments at a glance:

• the UK National Quantum Technology Programme - its ongoing work following phase 1 and into Phase 2, following a £94m investment from the EPSRC in four hubs over five years
• the four quantum hubs - focusing on sensors and timing, enhanced imaging, computing and simulation, and communications technologies
• £70m funding to secure UK position as a world-leader in quantum technology - government funding for 38 new projects in areas such as medical diagnosis and greenhouse gas emissions
• Government backs UK’s first quantum computer - in Abingdon and commercially available to businesses, and the Government’s ambition for the UK to be the world’s first quantum-ready economy
• Science Minister launches National Quantum Computing Centre - aimed at supporting tackling the challenge of scaling quantum computing
• the commercialising quantum technologies programme - focusing on sectors including automotive and healthcare, infrastructure and telecommunications, and cybersecurity and defence
• UK and Canada launch world-first programme of quantum technologies - UKRI/NSERC funding competition winners announced as part of the bilateral commercialisation and research initiative
• UKRI and the US to collaborate on research commercialisation - working with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) on research and commercialisation in quantum information science as well as AI and advanced manufacturing
• Quantum Ambassador Programme - scheme supported through the UK National Quantum Technology Programme to get young people engaged with quantum sciences

Policy officials attending:

Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders. Places have been reserved by parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Commons, and officials from BEIS; the Cabinet Office; CDEI; the DCMS; the Department for International Trade; the Department for Transport; the DSTL; the European Space Agency; the Geospatial Commission; the Intellectual Property Office; the Ministry of Defence; Ofcom; and The Scottish Government. Also due to attend are representatives from Cambridge Quantum Computing; Department of Communications and Digital Technologies; Irish Development Authority (IDA); MBDA UK; Oxford Ionics; Oxfordshire County council; STFC-UKRI; Technopolis; Teledyne e2v; The Institute of Physics; UKRI-STFC and University of Cambridge.

Press passes have been reserved by representatives from Satellite Evolution Group and ZDNet

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

• full, four-hour programme including comfort breaks - you’ll also get a full recording and transcript 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 examines the future for location-based data in the UK - looking at priorities for the UK’s Geospatial Strategy and for developing the geographic data market.

Areas for discussion include:

• the UK’s Geospatial Strategy ­- implementation, impact, ethics, regulation and the National Underground Asset Register (NUAR) pilot projects
• data - priorities for developing the framework, accessibility and interoperability
• skills - including geospatial apprenticeships
• commercialisation - supporting the development of location-based data services across the UK, and potential contribution to the economy

The discussion is bringing together stakeholders with key policy officials who are due to attend from the Geospatial Commission; BEIS; the Cabinet Office; DCMS; DfT; HMRC; the HSE; Home Office and the NAO.

The agenda:

• Developing the UK’s geospatial sector and realising opportunities
• Developing a coherent national location data framework
• Case study - lessons learnt from the National Underground Asset Register pilot projects
• Taking forward the UK Geospatial Strategy - improving access to better location data, and priorities for harnessing and safeguarding the data going forward
• Supporting the development of the skills, geospatial apprenticeships and capabilities to enable future growth
• Research and developing the market for geospatial data - future applications, commercial opportunities and supporting development and uptake

Key areas for discussion:

• Unlocking the power of location - The UK’s geospatial strategy:
  
  • key recommendations - assessing measures put forward for supporting growth, competition and innovation
  • delivery - how to address key challenges for developing and implementing a coherent national location data framework, and meeting its core objectives of:
    
    • promoting and safeguarding the use of location data
    • improving access to better location data
    • enhancing capabilities, skills and awareness
    • enabling innovation
  • ethics - what should be included in guidelines for the responsible use of location data and technology, options for enforcement, and progress on developing a strategy in this area
  • impact - looking at guidance being developed for measuring the economic, social and environmental value of location data
  • regulation - development of a set of harmonised data licences for the use of public sector location data, which is due by 2021
  • lessons from NUAR pilot projects - building trust, engaging early and defining clear use cases, and implications for the next phase of the programme and national rollout
• next steps for development - supporting the development of location-based data services across the UK:
  
  • use cases - examining how to maximise the potential for location data in areas such as:
    
    • supporting the future of mobility and next generation transport networks
    • delivering environmental outcomes and the delivery of a national land use framework
    • enabling future technologies as identified in the Geospatial Commission’s Future Technologies Review, including in:
      
      • cameras, imaging and sensing, immersive technologies and simulation
      • unmanned vehicle systems and drones, and survey, measurement and scanning
      • artificial intelligence, smart sensors and the internet of things
  • key programmes - priorities for the Geospatial Commission’s work with Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Government to develop a new Scottish Geospatial Network Integrator
• commercialisation - what more might be required from policymakers, researchers, and businesses to support work into developing geospatial data and incentivise private sector investment
• data - what more needs to be done to open up data for development:
  
  • key programmes - how to maximise the impact of:
    
    • the Public Sector Geospatial Agreement (PSGA) which provides location expertise to developers and the public sector across Britain
    • improved access to the Ordnance Survey MasterMap
    • the work of the Geo6 and the Data Discoverability programme
  • tackling barriers - what is needed to ensure that location data is available, accessible, interoperable, reusable and of high quality

• skills - with the strategy committing to produce a skills demand study to pinpoint specific sectors and roles that need geospatial skills now and in the future, including:
  
  • geospatial apprenticeships - assessing progress and next steps for their development in the public and private sectors
  • collaboration - the way forward for fostering effective joint working between the public sector, academia, and industry, drawing together geospatial, data science, digital and sector expertise
• research - assessing the landscape in relation to geospatial development including:
  
  • international relationships - the possible impact of the end of the Brexit transition period on collaboration, and priorities for the UK in the global geospatial environment
  • funding - whether more is needed from public and private sector sources to support continued research efforts, and where the priority areas for investment are

Relevant developments

• Unlocking the power of location: The UK’s geospatial strategy - which sets out plans to develop a coherent national location data framework by 2025, focused on four main areas:
  
  • promoting and safeguarding the use of location data
  • improving access to better location data
  • enhancing capabilities, skills and awareness
  • enabling innovation
• Enhancing the UK’s Geospatial Ecosystem - report by the Geospatial Commission with recommendations focusing on:
  
  • improving data access and maintaining public trust in location data technologies
  • driving business innovation in geospatial technologies in order to meet the aims of the Geospatial Strategy
• the Government’s £2m transport location data competition:
  
  • supporting the development of transport location data to enable smart mobility solutions for future transport
  • allocating the winnings across 28 projects under the themes of developing mobility as a service, boosting capacity, active travel, and supply chains
• National Underground Asset Register Project Update - latest development and findings from the NUAR pilot projects on a digital map of all underground pipes and cables
  
  • backed by the Geo6, a collaboration between: The British Geological Survey, the Coal Authority, HM Land Registry, Ordnance Survey, the UK Hydrographic Office and the Valuation Office Agency
• New support to grow the Scottish geospatial sector - moves towards establishing the new Scottish Geospatial Network Integrator to enhance the use of location-based data across Scotland
• The Public Sector Geospatial Agreement (PSGA), which:
  
  • replaced the Public Sector Mapping Agreement (PSMA) for England and Wales and the One Scotland Mapping Agreement (OSMA) earlier this year
  • sets out how the Ordnance Survey provides location expertise to developers and the public sector across Britain
• Tech UK’s new Geospatial Data Campaign - which will explore the opportunities and potential benefits from greater use of geospatial data across different industries and sectors
• Improved access to MasterMap data and core location identifiers - announced by the Geospatial Commission alongside the release under an Open Government Licence of core location identifiers
• How the UK government is transforming the way it shares geospatial data - updates from the Geo6 on project Data Discoverability, aimed at supporting the unlocking the potential of geospatial data

Policy officials attending

Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stake holders. Places have been reserved by officials from the Geospatial Commission; BEIS; the Cabinet Office; DCMS; the Department for Transport; the Health and Safety Executive; HM Revenue & Customs; the Home Office; the Ministry of Defence; the National Audit Office; 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 and transcript 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 bring out latest thinking on tackling gender imbalance in the UK’s tech sector.

It takes place as parliamentarians launch an inquiry into Equity in the UK STEM workforce, looking at best practice in fostering inclusiveness and diversity in organisational environments, taking into account educational pathways to careers in STEM.

These issues are reflected in the agenda for this conference, in addition to progression and female leadership in the UK tech sector - and looking at the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic turndown on women in tech.

We are delighted that the chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Diversity and Inclusion in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths, which is conducting the enquiry, Chi Onwurah MP, Shadow Minister for Science, Research and Digital, is a chair at this conference - and Margot James, Executive Chair, WMG, University of Warwick and former Minister of State for Digital and Creative Industries, DCMS, is one of the keynote speakers.

The discussion is bringing together stakeholders with key policy officials who are due to attend from BEIS; the Cabinet Office; DCMS; DfT; the Government Equalities Office; the Government Legal Department; HMPPS; the Department for the Economy NI; the UK Space Agency and the Welsh Government.

The agenda:

• Closing the gender gap in tech and championing digital skills
• Improving take up of STEM subjects at an early age, and fostering links between the tech sector and secondary education
• Attracting more women into studying STEM subjects at an advanced level and pursuing careers in the tech sector
• The impact of COVID-19 and the economic downturn on women in tech
• Addressing workplace culture issues - discrimination, bullying and harassment, and attitudes towards flexible working
• Progression and retention of women, and demonstrating competitive advantage through gender diversity in tech
• Improving the representation of women in senior leadership in the UK’s tech sector

The discussion in detail:

• education, skills and uptake of STEM subjects - priorities for the development of a diverse talent pipeline - looking at:
  
  • take-up - what more can be done to improve interest in STEM subjects at an early age
  • careers guidance - priorities and best practice in encouraging the uptake of STEM subjects at GCSE and A-Level
  • the tech sector - what more can be done to develop and foster links, particularly with secondary education
  • higher education - attracting a greater number of women into studying STEM subjects at an advanced level, and developing digital skills - including:
    
    • utilising professional support networks
    • industry, policy and educational initiatives
    • further work to encourage female STEM graduates to pursue careers in the tech sector
  • female diversity:
    
    • increasing opportunities for underrepresented groups to enter the digital and tech workforce
    • maximising the impact of the recent introduction of new AI and data science conversion courses, with 1,000 scholarships targeting female, black, and disabled applicants
  • the Lifetime Skills Guarantee scheme - announced by the Government, aiming to make education more accessible for all and to broaden opportunities for career progression
• tackling discrimination
  
  • workplace culture - what more needs to be done to address issues including:
    
    • attitudes towards flexible working and those with caring responsibilities
    • bullying, harassment, progression bias and wider discrimination towards women
  • gender pay gap - latest thinking on strategies and action for the UK tech sector and technology businesses and organisations:
    
    • progress - the effectiveness of measures taken up to this point in, including the impact of gender pay gap reporting measures as they are suspended for this year due to the pandemic
    • next steps - what more is needed to improve transparency and make further progress in ensuring gender pay parity
    • Unequal impact? Coronavirus and the gendered economic impact - the Women and Equalities Committee inquiry, looking at factors ranging from pre-existing inequalities between men and women and the overrepresentation of women in certain types of work
  • career progression - latest thinking on strategies to increase and develop opportunities for advancement for women in the tech sector, and their full-career retention
• women in senior leadership positions - options for policy and industry action to increase gender diversity in senior leadership positions in the UK’s tech sector, including board membership:
  
  • mentoring programmes - and encouraging more prominent female role models, with the Hampton-Alexander Review finding women still under-represented in top jobs
  • gender diversity and competitive advantage - with research finding significantly higher levels of innovation in companies where men and women are treated most equally
• COVID-19 - the impact of the pandemic, and the resulting lockdown measures and economic disruption, on women in the UK’s tech sector:
  
  • unequal job security - with findings that women are more likely to be at laid off than men and to take on a greater childcare burden while continuing to work from home
  • slipping standards - recent research which found that organisations are set to put diversity and inclusion initiatives on hold while they respond to the pandemic
  • policy - assessing progress and effectiveness of established government plans for supporting women and those with caring responsibilities back into employment

Policy officials attending:

Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders. Places have been reserved by officials from BEIS; the Cabinet Office; the DCMS; the Department for Transport; the Government Equalities Office; the Government Legal Department; HMPPS; the Department for the Economy NI; the UK Space Agency and the Welsh Government.

Overall, we expect speakers and attendees to be a senior and informed group including Members of both Houses of Parliament, senior government and regulatory officials involved in this area of policy, as well as from companies across the technology and online services sectors and marketplaces, software development and consumer technology companies, fintech and digital banking, AI and quantum technology, data analytics and processing, high-value manufacturing industries, trade associations and professional bodies, equality and other advocacy groups, academics and commentators, consultants and financial analysts, and legal experts, together with reporters from the national and specialist media

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
• 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 is bringing together key stakeholders with policymakers, and will be an opportunity to examine latest developments in data protection regulation and practice in the UK, as well as to look ahead to the future of policy and implications of key changes with the approaching end of the Brexit transition period.

The discussion is bringing together stakeholders with key policy officials who are due to attend from DCMS; the Cabinet Office; the ICO; BEIS; the Centre for Data Ethics & Innovation; the CMA; the CPS; Defra; DfE; the Department of Health, NI; DIT; DfT; DHSC; DWP; the FSA; the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office; Government Banking; the Government Legal Department; Government Legal Profession; HMCTS; HMRC; HM Treasury; Home Office; MHCLG; the MOD; the MoJ; the SFO; the Welsh Revenue Authority; The Scottish Government; and the Welsh Government.

The agenda:

• Regulation and enforcement in data protection - strategic aims and priorities going forward
• Developing and implementing sectoral codes of conduct
• Compliance, best practice and the experience of today’s data protection landscape across sectors in the UK economy
• Data protection in the UK post-Brexit - the Withdrawal Agreement, progress on an adequacy decision, and regulatory obligations for UK organisations after the end of the transition period
• The impact of COVID-19 - increased remote working, greater reliance of technology, and the data protection implications of contact-tracing

Areas for discussion:

• the UK’s regulatory framework, Brexit and wider international relationships:
  
  • remaining priorities - developing the UK’s post-Brexit data protection policy and regulatory frameworks
  • a UK-EU data adequacy agreement - progress and next steps, the impact of the UK-US data access agreement on negotiations, and the wider future for international data exchange
  • resolving potential conflicts - including between EU data protection regulation and UK domestic legislation such as the Investigatory Powers Act 2016
  • standard contractual clauses - their use for data transfers by UK businesses
  • GDPR:
    
    • interpretation - potential future divergence in between UK courts from the CJEU
    • implementation - with the requirement for UK organisations to comply with the GDPR for data processing taking place in the UK but pertaining to non-UK data subjects  
• compliance and key lessons learned from across the UK economy:
  
  • key sectors - the state of compliance, best practice and the experience of the data protection landscape across the UK economy, including finance, advertising, and online services
  • sector-specific codes of conduct - their development, and further unresolved issues and next steps for the ongoing implementation of GDPR in the UK
  • regulatory enforcement so far - actions under the GDPR, including penalties issued in relation to instances of data breaches - and the future approach to data protection enforcement
  • best practice - increasing privacy, trust and security on online platforms - including what lessons can be learned from the recent Twitter hack  
• COVID-19:
  
  • increased threats - implications emerging from the pandemic, including the impact of more remote working and a greater reliance on technology with varying levels of data security
  • data protection and the UK’s economic recovery - including by encouraging trust in areas such as public and commercial information
  • contact-tracing - latest on the NHS Test and Trace service, and the way that personal data is handled as the Government shifts strategy towards a decentralised approach, following recommendations by privacy experts and campaigners that this offers greater data security
  • data protection and privacy during a time of crisis - following parliamentary concerns raised with the Information Commissioner

Relevant developments:

• Government publishes new strategy to kickstart data revolution across the UK - launch of the Government’s wide-ranging National Data Strategy
• Machinery of Government - transfer to the Cabinet Office of responsibility for guiding the government’s use of data aimed at maximising the benefits in policymaking and service delivery
• Online harms and the ethics of data - the recently launched inquiry by the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Sub-committee on Online Harms and Disinformation
• Trust, Transparency and Technology: Building Data Policies for the Public Good - the Data Analytics APPG report calling for the Government to ensure that citizen’s rights are protected
• Cabinet Office Personal Data Protection Delivery Enhancement - the new programme aimed at improving control over private data, following recommendations in Building trust in digital government
• Accountability Framework - from the ICO with a focus on areas such as leadership, policies and procedures, training, transparency and data sharing, risks, record keeping and the response to issues
• UK transition from the EU - and questions over the future of international data sharing and protection
• the Regulatory Sandbox - the ICO initiative on supporting privacy and innovation, and delivery of new products and services with built-in data protections
• How we will regulate during coronavirus - the ICO’s focus on protecting public interest, facilitating responsible data sharing, and balancing privacy and innovation
• COVID-19 test and trace - ongoing developments across the UK nations regions of systems and technology to support tracking and containment of the pandemic

Policy officials attending:

Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders. Places have been reserved by officials from DCMS; the Cabinet Office; the Information Commissioner's Office; BEIS; the Centre for Data Ethics & Innovation; the Competition and Markets Authority; the Crown Prosecution Service; Defra; the Department for Education; the Department of Health, NI; the Department for International Trade; the Department for Transport; DHSC; the DWP; the Food Standards Agency; the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office; Government Banking; the Government Legal Department; Government Legal Profession; HM Courts and Tribunals Service; HM Revenue & Customs; HM Treasury; the Home Office; the Information Commissioner's Office; the MHCLG; the Ministry of Defence; the Ministry of Justice; the Serious Fraud Office; the Welsh Revenue Authority; The Scottish Government; and the Welsh Government.

Overall, we expect speakers and attendees to be a senior and informed group including Members of both Houses of Parliament, senior government and regulatory officials involved in this area of policy, as well as from the technology and telecoms industries, media businesses along with their suppliers and their advisors, digital platforms and other companies with a major presence online, digital marketing and advertising companies and trade bodies, businesses in the regulated industries, charities and third sector organisations, public services and public sector organisations that handle large volumes of personal data, organisations and individuals representing the views of consumers and citizens, legal and financial analysts, academics and commentators, together with reporters from the national and specialist media.

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

Westminster eForum policy conference
Next steps for supporting trade and investment for the UK tech sector
Morning, Friday, 30th April 2021

Full replays of Westminster eForum conferences are made available within one week of the live broadcast, providing a timely and permanent record of proceedings for delegates on the day, for our policymaker contacts in parliament, government and regulation, and wider stakeholders in business, advocacy groups and beyond.

Accompanying material includes a ready-reference transcript, copies of the speakers’ presentation material, the delegate information pack, and relevant articles supplied by attendees after the conference.

The agenda can be viewed here.

***Full-scale policy conference taking place online***
This conference will examine the next steps for rolling out 5G networks and services in the UK.

The discussion is bringing stakeholders together with key policy officials who are due to attend from DCMS; BEIS; the Cabinet Office; the CMA; Ofcom; the MOD; Defra; DIT; DfT; HMRC; Home Office; the ICO; the Geospatial Commission; the Government Legal Department; the UK Space Agency; the National Crime Agency; NCSC; the Department for the Economy, NI; the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales; The Scottish Government and the Welsh Government.

The discussion at a glance:

• addressing the challenges for rolling out 5G across the UK
• infrastructure and spectrum
• network security and future partnerships
• 5G markets, use cases and innovation priorities
• economic recovery - the potential role of 5G in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic

Areas for discussion in detail:

Rolling out 5G infrastructure and services

• technology partnerships - implications of the ban on the Huawei involvement in 5G development for the UK’s position as a leader in 5G, the cost of rollout delays, and new entrants and competition
• spectrum - the likely impact of Ofcom’s planned award in the 700MHz and 3.6 - 3.8GHz bands on the development of 5G services, with bidding expected to begin in early 2021
• efficiencies - opportunities for spectrum defragmentation while addressing concerns expressed in the telecoms sector
• coverage - the way forward for achieving broad-based 5G across the whole of the UK:
  
  • collaboration - the role of the devolved governments and local authorities
  • policy and regulation - what more may be needed to ensure that 5G networks achieve a high percentage of coverage by both population and geographic area
  • local solutions - the role that rural communities can play in building their own 5G networks, with the launch of the 5G New Thinking project
• the 5G Testbeds and Trials programme - latest developments:
  
  • funding - the announcement of a further £65m, including to encourage innovative use cases for 5G technologies across UK industries
  • the experience so far - what key lessons can be drawn

Network security

• international technology partnerships - the current position, and the future of supply arrangements for the UK’s future 5G networks
• In Search of Strategy - assessing the Defence Select Committee’s report into the security of the UK’s 5G network, high-risk vendors, and proposals alternative providers
• the technology itself - ensuring that expected security benefits of 5G are realised

The 5G services market

• B2B and B2C - strategies for marketing the offering for business and domestic users, and differential benefits compared to present-generation wireless networks
• customer priorities - assessing key factors for pricing, reliability, speed and security, and the extent to which 5G offers potential for improvement in these areas
• new entrants - what more needs to be done to support competition, innovation and opportunities for 5G businesses and suppliers of all scales in the market
• opportunities - research, development and investment priorities and the range of potential future use cases for 5G B2B and B2C applications

5G and UK economic recovery in the wake of the pandemic

• 5G’s role - the potential impact of improved and broadened digital and the UK’s economic recovery in the wake of the pandemic
• the experience so far - what can learned the role played by digital infrastructure, including mobile and wireless networks, in the immediate response to the pandemic
• the new normal - assessing the impact and permanence of changes in demand, including usage patterns, remote access and other uses of telecoms services associated services
• preparing for future opportunities - what more is needed in order to ensure that the infrastructure is in place and can adapt to market changes

The agenda:

• What has been learned so far from the testbeds and trials programme
• Tackling the key challenges for rolling out 5G across the UK, and examining lessons and outcomes from the testbeds and trials programme
• Priorities for securing the UK’s future 5G infrastructure
• The role of international partnerships in the development of UK 5G networks
• How can the response to the pandemic and trends that have emerged inform the UK's path to economic recovery? International lessons
• Key priorities for spectrum allocation - enabling the development of 5G going forward
• The future outlook for 5G markets, use cases and innovation

Policy officials attending:

Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders. Places have been reserved from the House of Commons, as well as by officials from DCMS; BEIS; the Cabinet Office; the CMA; Ofcom; the Ministry of Defence; Defra; the Department for International Trade; the Department for Transport; HMRC; the Home Office; the Information Commissioner's Office; the Geospatial Commission; the Government Legal Department; the UK Space Agency; the National Crime Agency; NCSC; the Department for the Economy, NI; the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales; The Scottish Government and the Welsh Government.

Overall, we expect delegates at this conference to be a senior and informed group including Members of both houses of Parliament and representatives from the EU as well as devolved and local government, departmental and regulatory officials, together with key stakeholders from the mobile, telecoms and technology sector, their advisors and suppliers, data professionals, technologists, consultants, lawyers, organisations and individuals representing the views of consumers and citizens, academics, educational and research institutions, and reporters from the national and specialist media.

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 examine key current priorities for improving cyber security across the UK economy.

The discussion is bringing together stakeholders with key policy officials due to attend from BEIS; the Cabinet Office; the National Cyber Security Centre; CIDD; HM Treasury; Home Office; the MOD; the NAO; Ofcom; DCMS; DIT; DHSC; DFT; the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office; Government Banking; the Government Legal Department; the HSE; HMRC; the UK Space Agency; The Scottish Government; the Welsh Government; and the Welsh Revenue Authority.

The discussion at a glance:

• support - what more is needed to help businesses and individuals to improve cyber security as they adapt to new ways of working, and assessing support already in place or being developed
• public and private sector collaboration - and the future of the Active Cyber Defence programme
• best practice - learning from international approaches to improving cyber resilience
• the changing political and diplomatic context - as the UK reconsiders international technology partnerships in the development of 5G, and negotiates future relationships with the EU
• COVID-19 - priorities for dealing with the ongoing impact of the pandemic, with increases in remote working and the range of connected devices, and introduction of digital tracing technology

The agenda:

• Key policy priorities in cyber security - taking forward the incentives and regulation review and implementing Secure by Design
• The impact of COVID-19 on the global cyber security landscape
• What more is needed from policymakers, regulators and the private sector to improve cyber security and resilience across the wider economy as it recovers from the pandemic
• Developing collaboration between the public and private sectors in cyber security and the future role of the Active Cyber Defence programme
• Case study - learning from international approaches to improving cyber security resilience
• Cyber security as working patterns change - remote access, data storage, and user equipment and networks
• Enhancing the security of consumer devices
• The Parliamentary perspective - developing the UK’s strategic position with respect to cyber security

Relevant developments at a glance:

• Cyber security incentives & regulation review: government response to the call for evidence - and launch of Cyber Aware and the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS) through the NCSC:
  
  • regulation and guidance
  • cyber skills and resources
  • effective incentives for business investment in cyber security infrastructure
  • managing an increasingly complex digital environment
• Proposals for regulating consumer smart product cyber security - call for views ­- with the Government now considering responses
• Active Cyber Defence (ACD) ­- the programme providing free tools and services for cyber protection for the public sector and higher education
• Government invests £10 million to help make future technologies more secure ­- with the winners of Digital Security by Design grant competition
• Nokia signs 5G deal to become BT’s largest infrastructure partner­ - the company’s announcement of its supply deal for 5G equipment for BT’s EE network, replacing Huawei
• Armed Forces announce launch of Cyber Regiment in major modernisation - to protect a number of defence networks in the UK and on overseas operations

The discussion in detail:

Policy and regulation

• Cyber Security Incentives & Regulation Review - assessing the findings of the consultation and implications for policy priorities going forward:
  
  • support - discussing measures already in place, and being planned and developed, to help organisations of all scales improve cybersecurity procedures and infrastructure
  • incentives - effective communication to organisations the commercial rationale for investment in cybersecurity, as well as actions to improve organisational capability
  • COVID-19 - priorities for clear guidance on best practice in managing risks with rapid adoption and increased reliance on digital technology during the pandemic
• Secure by Design - next steps for manufacturer practice regarding consumer IoT devices:
  
  • impact - protecting consumers, workability within the industry, and the long-term growth of the IoT
  • standards - next steps for development and coordinating approaches internationally
  • incentives and support - assessing options for further encouraging innovation and development
• partnerships and supply arrangements - assessing the future in light of UK transition from the UK and the Government’s ban on Huawei’s involvement in 5G development
• national defence - issues and further action on protecting critical infrastructure

COVID-19

• guidance - assessing initiatives from the UK government and agencies, as well as internationally, aimed at supporting businesses and individuals to improve their cyber security with increased pandemic-related malicious cyber activity
• reactivity - how the security of consumer devices can be improved whilst ensuring critical business functions remain operational without interruption, including with the increased reliance on video sharing platforms
• international coordination - progress and priorities in organisation, sharing best practice and action in sharing best practice, identifying fraudulent actors, and tackling rising cyber fraud and attacks

Cyber security across the breadth of the UK economy

• Cyber Aware - the impact of initiatives designed to help businesses prepare their staff for the scenario of a cyber-attack while they work from home
• SMEs - what further support for small and medium-sized enterprises might be required to enable them to adopt best practice in areas such as:
  
  • cyber incident response plans
  • strong cyber security culture in the workforce and processes
  • penetration and resilience testing
  • diversity and inclusion - in light of recent analysis undertaken by NCSC, in partnership with KPMG, which found that organisations often lack an inclusive workplace culture
• what good looks like - priorities for improving knowledge sharing and best practice in businesses, with findings that IT teams feel that they are not properly equipped to tackle the increased security and privacy concerns arising from remote working
• tools for businesses - the impact of the SERS and further options for support, particularly for small businesses with less bandwidth to deal with cyber threats
• sector-specific approaches - addressing shortfalls and requirements in areas of the economy of strategic importance including finance, healthcare, heat and power, and telecommunication networks

Public-private collaboration

• options for joint working - how more comprehensive connections could be developed between Government, public sector bodies, and the private and third sectors in the cyber security space
• the NCSC’s Active Cyber Defence programme - its ongoing and future role, options for broadening benefits beyond the public sector and HE, and the wider applicability and potential usefulness of active cyber defence principles
• Brexit - impact of any potential changes on the relationship with EU wide programmes as the transition period comes to an end

Policy officials attending:

Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders. Places have been reserved by parliamentary pass-holders from the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Digital Identity, and officials from BEIS; the Cabinet Office; the National Cyber Security Centre; CIDD; DCMS; the Department for International Trade; the Department of Health and Social Care; the Department for Transport; the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office; Government Banking; the Government Legal Department; the Health and Safety Executive; HM Revenue & Customs; HM Treasury; the Home Office; the Ministry of Defence; the National Audit Office; Ofcom; the UK Space Agency; and The Scottish Government; the Welsh Government; and the Welsh Revenue Authority

Overall, we expect speakers and attendees to be a senior and informed group including Members of both Houses of Parliament, senior government and regulatory officials involved in this area of policy, as well as cyber security, technology and telecoms professionals, and those from the wider business community and the security and defence sector, advisors and suppliers, academics and educational institutions, training providers, recruitment and HR specialists, lawyers, analysts, industry bodies, organisations and individuals representing the views of consumers and citizens, and reporters from the national and specialist media.

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 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