Westminster eForum

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

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

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

Key areas for discussion:

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

Developments that are relevant to the discussion:

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

The agenda:

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

Policy officials attending

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

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

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

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

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

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

This conference will consider the way forward for developing and investing in fibre network infrastructure in the UK.

Key areas for discussion:

• Key proposals and measures being considered in the consultation on Ofcom’s Wholesale Fixed Telecoms Market Review;
• The potential impact of Ofcom’s proposed approach on encouraging network competition in areas where it is considered economically viable;
• Proposed levels of charge controls relating to wholesale network access for retail broadband providers in different geographical areas;
• The Review’s proposals to continue to require BT to provide unrestricted access to its network of ducts and poles for competitors seeking to build their own networks;
• What more is needed from policymakers and regulators to achieve greater geographical coverage for broadband and fibre networks;
• Key proposals contained in the two proposed bills - the Telecommunications (Connectivity) Bill and the Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Bill;
• The role of public funding in achieving an increased pace of rollout of high-speed networks in the UK; and
• The proposed new planning obligations for housing developers to include the infrastructure to support gigabit-capable connections in new developments

Background and developments that are relevant to the discussion:

• The open consultation on Ofcom’s Wholesale Fixed Telecoms Market Review for 2021-26;
• The Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Bill currently before Parliament, as well as further legislation aiming to ‘accelerate the delivery of gigabit capable broadband’ announced in the Queen’s Speech at the start of this year;
• Government spending commitments including £5bn in funding to support the rollout of gigabit-capable broadband;
• The recent announcement by Openreach that it will be extending its build programme for fibre networks to include a further 250,000 homes and businesses in rural areas;
• The National Infrastructure Strategy, expected to be published later this year; and
• The recent announcement of the Shared Rural Network programme to extend mobile and wireless connectivity to partial and total ‘not-spots’ in rural areas in the UK.

The agenda:

• Competition and regulation in future network rollout - key aims of the Market Review;
• ‘Next Steps for High Quality Digital Infrastructure’;
• Developing fibre and gigabit-capable networks in the UK - incentivising investment, infrastructure access and achieving greater competition;
• Addressing the challenges of achieving widespread high-speed network coverage - latest thinking from Scotland;
• The way forward for addressing consumer priorities in broadband infrastructure - pricing, reliability and widening coverage; and
• The Government’s key priorities for the UK’s digital infrastructure - investment, coverage obligations and new legislation.

Policy officials attending

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

It’s certainly the case with this one. Places have been reserved by officials from BDUK; DCMS; Ofcom; BEIS; the Cabinet Office; MHCLG; ; the National Audit Office; Crown Commercial Service;  the Department for International Trade; the Geospatial Commission; HM Revenue & Customs; the National Crime Agency; the Valuation Office Agency; 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 conference will consider key issues for the development of smart cities and connected places in the UK - and next steps for local and municipal authorities, central government and regulators, and the private sector.

Key areas for discussion:

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

The agenda:

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

Developments that are relevant to the discussion:

It takes place with:

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

Policy officials attending

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Key areas for discussion:

Innovation, competition and the payments market

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

Security

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

Inclusivity and support for consumers

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

The COVID-19 epidemic

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

Developments that are relevant to the discussion:

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

The agenda:

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

Policy officials attending:

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

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

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

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

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

This conference will consider key issues for immersive technologies in the UK - with discussion expected on:

• Potential uses;
• Regulatory and policy priorities; and
• Next steps for investment and research.

Delegates will discuss how immersive tech is being used, and the impact it is set to have across a wide spectrum of sectors ranging across:

• High-value manufacturing and engineering - including aerospace, automotive and other areas of transport;
• Video games, film and television;
• Architecture, construction and planning;
• Computer-aided design and three-dimensional modelling;
• Healthcare, including surgery and psychological therapies; and
• The emergency services, health and safety, and the military.

The agenda also looks at potential ethical and legal issues arising from its widespread adoption, including:

• Data protection and regulatory compliance, such as issues around lawful processing bases for personal and special category data;
• Health and safety issues for users of immersive tech;
• Liability and insurance issues resulting from potential misuse or harm caused by these technologies;
• Intellectual property rights for content created in real time; and
• Content regulation of advertisements and entertainment served by immersive technologies.

It takes place in the context of:

• Digital Catapult’s programme of work in immersive tech, including initiatives such as CreativeXR and the Immersive Labs;
• £33m of investment in immersive tech under the UKRI Audience of the Future Challenge; and
• The ongoing work taking place as part of the Creative Industries Sector Deal, including further government investment in virtual and augmented reality technologies and the video games sector.

Speakers

There will be keynote addresses from:

• Dr Jeremy Silver, Chief Executive Officer, Digital Catapult;
• Graham Mold, Head of Growth Capital, Frontier Development Capital; and
• Tara Reddy, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, LoveShark.

Further speakers include:

• Andrew Bravin, Associate, Technology Group, Sheridans;
• Andrew Cormack, Chief Regulatory Adviser, Jisc;
• Simon Fletcher, Chief Technology Officer, Real Wireless and Co-Chair, International Working Group, UK5G Innovation Network;
• Jason Hawthorne, Founding Director and Chief Digital Officer, VU.CITY;
• Professor Roy Kalawsky, Director, Advanced VR Research Centre, Loughborough University; and
• Sol Rogers, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, REWIND and Chair, Advisory Board, ImmerseUK.

The agenda

• Assessing the potential of immersive technologies - case studies on:
  
  • The impact of virtual reality in the broadcasting sector; and
  • Applying immersive technologies in high-value manufacturing.
• Investing in the UK’s immersive tech sector - engagement, business development and access to finance;
• Next steps for developing immersive technologies in the UK - developing a range of use cases across the wider economy;
• Assessing ethical and regulatory implications - data protection, safety, and liability;
• AR technologies in the video games sector - case study; and
• Future development of the UK’s immersive tech sector

Engagement with policy officials at this conference

This Westminster eForum conference has attracted strong interest from policymakers. It will be an opportunity for stakeholders to engage with officials who have reserved places representing: BEIS; Cabinet Office; Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation; DCMS; Defra; DfT; DIT; the European Space Agency; the Government Equalities Office; HMRC; Home Office; MoD and the Office for Artificial Intelligence.

This conference focuses on the future for sharing and portability of consumer data - as well as priorities for supporting both data-driven innovation and the protection of consumers and their data.

Areas for discussion include:

• The Smart Data Review - which seeks to shift greater control over personal data to individuals - with the Government considering the response to the public consultation on its plans;
• Ofcom developing detailed proposals on an ‘Open Communications’ initiative - which would require communications businesses to provide consumer data to third party providers at the consumer’s request, as recommended by the Smart Data Review;
• The CMA calls - as part of its update on tackling the loyalty penalty - for the Government to bring forward its Consumer White Paper;
• ICO consultation on the draft Data Sharing Code of Practice - which focuses on changes to data protection legislation where these changes are relevant to data sharing; and
• The future of cross border sharing of consumer data as the UK prepares for its future trading relationship with the EU and beyond.

Speakers

There will be keynote addresses from:

• Tim Jarvis, Director, Consumer and Competition Policy, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy;
• Imran Gulamhuseinwala, Trustee, Open Banking Implementation Entity; and

Further confirmed speakers include: Sue Daley, techUK; Chris Gorst, Nesta; Philip James, Sheridans; Laurie Laybourn-Langton, IPPR; Carlo Nebuloni, AXA UK and Ireland and Richard Neudegg, uSwitch.

The agenda

• The Smart Data Review - key proposals and next steps;
• Addressing the ‘loyalty penalty’ in consumer markets;
• Enabling data-driven innovation in consumer markets - opportunities, safeguards, and using data and technology to help vulnerable consumers;
• Case study: enabling innovation in data-driven services for consumers through the development of Open Banking standards;
• Data portability and transfers between online platforms - standards, collaboration, and consent; and
• Data sharing and digital and online markets - regulation, competition, and ensuring consumers and their data are protected.

Engagement with policy officials at this conference

This Westminster eForum conference has attracted particularly strong interest from policymakers. It will be an opportunity for stakeholders to engage with officials who have reserved places representing: BEIS; the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles; CMA; DCMS; DfE; DfT; DIT; HMRC; Home Office; ICO; MoJ; Ofcom, OGD and the Welsh Government.

This seminar focused on the way forward for the development of the UK’s data economy.

Areas for discussion included:

• Latest on the development of the National Data Strategy and what is needed from policy and the sector itself to support organisations in utilising data to drive growth;
• Broadening access to public sector data for the private sector, including SMEs;
• Increasing public involvement and trust in the use and treatment of their data;
• Improving public services and the way data is gathered, exchanged, and used across government - and in the private and third sectors; and
• Next steps for the UK’s data infrastructure.

Delegates discussed priorities for developing the UK’s wider data economy and delivering improvements in the UK’s data infrastructure - including what further support might be needed from policymakers and central government.

There was further discussion on utilising data to drive wider economic growth and to stimulate increased business productivity. Delegates looked at the way forward for overcoming some of the key barriers - including skills requirements and the development and sharing of cross-sectoral expertise and best practice.

Further sessions focused on the next steps for developing increased digitisation and utilisation of data across the UK economy and a range of public services.

The seminar followed the publication of the Challenges in using data across government report by the National Audit Office, which set out a number of recommendations on improving the handling and use of data across government departments and the treatment of data as a strategic asset.

Also taking place in the context of the GovTech Catalyst programme, delegates considered the way forward for supporting data-driven innovation in services and their delivery - including improvements in quality and reliability, efficiency, and cost savings.

Further sessions looked at latest developments in private-sector innovation in data handling and delivery of data-driven public services. Delegates examined options for improving partnerships and collaboration between government and others in the public sector, as well as businesses, charities, and other stakeholder groups, to promote continued innovation and technological development.

They also assessed key lessons learnt in the private sector and across the wider economy in developing data handling best practice - and their applicability in government departments and public sector bodies.

The agenda also looked at the way forward for increasing public trust in the use of data by Government and across the wider economy. Delegates examined key ethical questions around the handling of personal and identifying data, including data privacy, cyber security and data protection, and profiling.

Discussion also took place on the way forward for guarding against the use of poor-quality or incomplete data in making policy decisions - including the effect on individuals and societal groups, with the NAO’s report highlighting the case of the handling of the Windrush situation.

Further sessions looked at improving data handling practices within government departments and agencies, and other public sector bodies. Discussion took place on key issues being discussed for the National Data Strategy in the areas of data standardisation and transfers between departments, improving the quality of data collected and held in government databases, and resourcing for the implementation of best practice in data handling across government.

Delegates first addressed prevention, treatment and research, discussing the key priorities for meeting strategic focus areas highlighted in the Gambling Commission’s Strategy - prevention and education, and treatment and support - with discussion on the role of research, public health, and partnerships.

Further sessions assessed online and mobile advertising standards, looking at influencers and technology - highlighting the DCMS committee’s recent report on Immersive and addictive technologies finding that young people in the UK are spending £270m a year in total on in-app purchases and video game add-ons.

Delegates also discussed the key priorities for ensuring a safer gambling environment - with discussion around the strengthening of age verification rules for online gambling and the proposed ban on gambling with credit cards.

Finally, delegates considered sustainable sector growth and retail gambling, examining the key challenges facing the retail gambling sector and how it is adapting in the current regulatory climate, including alternative revenue streams that are required to put the sector on a sustainable footing for the future and the impact of shifts towards online gambling on the wider sector.

This seminar considered next steps for 5G in the UK - and the positioning of this country in the global market for 5G development and services.

It took place following the Government’s publication of the final Statement of Strategic Priorities for Ofcom, including aspirations on 5G development and rollout.

Delegates considered key priorities for driving the rollout of 5G network infrastructure across the UK.

The conference followed:

• The announcement of £5bn in funding to support the rollout of gigabit-capable broadband and £30m of government funding to accelerate 5G rollout in rural areas;
• The announcement of a £1bn partnership between government and the mobile industry to tackle rural ‘not-spots’; and
• The launch of 5G services by a number of network providers in several urban centres.

Discussion took place on tackling barriers to infrastructure rollout, as well as the potential role for the Neutral Host model of infrastructure provision.

The agenda also looked at spectrum allocation, in light of the upcoming 700MHz and 3.6-3.8GHz band auctions.

There was discussion on:

• Key priorities for efficiently utilising available spectrum to deliver 5G services;
• The way forward for developing spectrum sharing and trading models between network providers; and
• The potential for spectrum defragmentation in the 3.4 - 3.8GHz band - following the Ofcom consultation.

Further sessions considered the development of the market for 5G services, including priorities for consumers.

Discussion took place on contract and handset pricing, as well as on network security and reliability.

The agenda also brought out latest thinking on the long-term transformational potential of the latest generation of wireless technologies - examining potential use cases for 5G networks across the wider economy and its role in enabling technological innovation, including in areas such as immersive technologies, automation, and robotics.

This seminar considered the way forward for developing quantum technologies in the UK.

Areas for discussion included:

• Progress so far and the UK’s international position;
• Investment and commercialisation;
• Tackling the key technical challenges; and
• The wider transformative potential of quantum technologies, as well as possible broader societal implications.

It took place following the announcement of a series of rounds of government funding for the UK National Quantum Technology Programme - and in the context of the government agenda in a new parliament.

Delegates discussed progress made so far under the overarching national programme - including on individual projects, such as the establishment of a National Quantum Computing Centre and the development of Centres for Doctoral Training - and on what more might be required from policymakers, researchers, and businesses to support work into developing quantum technologies in the UK.

Further discussion took place on underpinning the UK’s international competitiveness and positioning in quantum R&D in the face of major investments being made by a number of other players, including the USA, China, and EU.

Those in attendance also considered what more needs to be done to address the key remaining technical and practical barriers to widespread commercialisation of quantum technologies across areas such as computing, sensing, metrology, imaging, and communications.

Discussion took place on issues around scalability, stability, and reliability, and integration with existing systems and computing processes.

Delegates also assessed potential disruptive implications of quantum technologies, including the challenges it may pose to conventional cybersecurity and encryption methodologies - and the way forward for developing new technologies and approaches to mitigate these concerns at an early stage.

Following the announcement by UKRI of the commercialising quantum technologies programme, there was further discussion on key priorities for driving the development of practical applications for quantum technologies and their rollout into the wider economy.

Sessions examined the progress being made by the UKRI-funded Quantum Pioneer Challenge Fund projects - such as the Gravity Pioneer project, aiming to develop a quantum gravity sensor for use in underground surveying - and what learning from these projects might be applied more broadly, as well as some of the key obstacles encountered and solutions deployed.

The agenda also brought out latest thinking on what more may be needed from policymakers to incentivise private sector investment into quantum technology projects, as well as the way forward for developing effective collaboration between the public sector, academia, and industry.

The conference also provided an opportunity to discuss the potential overall impact of any future growth in the use of quantum technologies across a range of sectors and business areas.

There was also discussion on the possible broader societal implications of the development of quantum technologies, and whether new regulatory developments might be needed in the future in order to avoid unforeseen negative consequences.

This conference examines next steps for developing data protection regulation in the UK.

Speakers

There will be keynote addresses from Steve Wood, Executive Director - Regulatory Strategy, Information Commissioner’s Office and Harry Lee, Deputy Director, Domestic Data Protection Policy, DCMS - as well as from Chris Combemale, Chief Executive Officer, Data & Marketing Association.

Further confirmed speakers include: Ruth Boardman, Bird & Bird; Professor Douwe Korff, London Metropolitan University; Dyann Heward Mills, HewardMills; Dawn Monaghan, NHSX; Linda NiChualladh, Citi; Zoe Rowland, Cancer Research UK and Mark Thompson, KPMG.

The chairs are Charles Courtenay, the Earl of Devon, Partner, Michelmores and Rt Hon the Lord McNally

The agenda

• The impact of GDPR in the UK since its implementation;
• Developing best practice in data handling across the wider economy - lawful processing bases, subject access requests, and breach reporting;
• Assessing the future outlook for data protection in the UK:
  
  • Developing and implementing sector-specific data protection codes of conduct; and
  • Options for UK alignment with EU data protection regulation after Brexit.
• Next steps for UK data protection policy; and
• The ICO’s future regulatory approach.

Engagement with policy officials at this conference

This Westminster eForum conference has attracted particularly strong interest from policymakers. It will be an opportunity for stakeholders to engage with officials who have reserved places representing: BEIS; Cabinet Office; Competition and Markets Authority; the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation; Office for AI; Government Digital Service; DCMS; Defra; Department for Education; Department for International Trade; Department for Transport; DHSC; DWP; Food Standards Agency; Foreign and Commonwealth Office; Government Legal Department; Government Office for Science; HM Revenue & Customs; Home Office; MHCLG; Ministry of Justice; National Audit Office; National Crime Agency; Ofcom; Office for National Statistics; The Scottish Government and the UK Visas and Immigration.

This conference discussed UK drones policy, the future regulatory system, and opportunities for commercial application of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in the UK.

Taking place in the context of the publication of the draft Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Bill, discussion focused on current and future regulatory developments affecting commercial and civil drone operations in the UK.

The conference provided an opportunity to examine what more is needed in terms of technical solutions and enforcement powers to avoid further disruption from rogue use of drones, such as those seen at UK airports in the preceding year - including airspace restrictions, detection and counter-drone technologies.

It followed the adoption of EU rules on drone operations earlier in the year, and the CAA’s recent publication of plans for their implementation in the UK within the next year.

The conference also presented an opportunity to assess the implications of the new mandatory Drone Registration and Education Scheme - which came into effect on 30th November 2019 and requires UK drone pilots to register their details with the CAA, pass an online test, and pay an annual fee.

There was also discussion on the government’s response to the Taking Flight: The Future of Drones in the UK consultation, which set out:

• The case for tighter controls around drone use;
• Plans to develop policy related to the flight information notification system (fins); and
• An expansion of geo-fencing so that inbuilt drone technology can restrict entry into no-fly zones.

Following the publication of the Science and Technology Select Committee’s report on Commercial and recreational drone use in the UK, further sessions considered the evolving landscape in terms of regulation, including the compliance challenges facing drone users in the UK, as well as questions around airspace management and liability.

Those attending also assessed the potential for wider commercial and public sector drone use.

Discussion took place on the latest developments in use cases including the management, surveying and maintenance of infrastructure assets, supporting the work of the emergency services, drone utilisation in the construction and agriculture sectors, and wider emerging applications.

Delegates considered what more is needed to support the growth of the sector and to drive continued innovation, in order to ensure the UK is positioned as a global leader in this field.

Areas for discussion included what developments may be required to the regulatory framework for unmanned aircraft system operations if fully-autonomous and BVLOS flying are to be enabled on a routine basis.

The seminar began by addressing industry responsibility, highlighting the focus on industry responsibility in the Online Harms White Paper - including the proposed legal duty of care for online companies towards its users. This raised questions of what duties and liability should fall on social media platforms and tech companies.

It follows the Science and Technology Committee’s report in 2019 on the mental health impacts of social media - which found that social media exacerbated online harms including negative body image and cyberbullying - and reported evidence of social media platforms being used as a marketplace for the illegal sale of drugs - particularly among young people.

As the government looks to make tech companies more accountable, delegates heard directly from industry experts on what more can be done to protect children online.

The seminar also assessed regulation and media literacy, bringing out the latest thinking on the future of online regulation with respect to children.

Discussion also revolved around the effectiveness of current public and private sector initiatives aimed at encouraging children to think more critically online.

Delegates also had the opportunity to consider areas for improvement - with the white paper announcing plans to develop a new online media literacy strategy.

Additionally, the seminar examined privacy and data protection, measuring the progress that has been made towards protecting children’s privacy online and what further support might be needed.

Discussion targeted the implication of increased protections of user privacy on the ability of industry and investigators to identify and intercept online communications which could harm children’s online safety. The ICO’s Age Appropriate Design Code was particularly prevalent within this discussion. 

Finally, the seminar scrutinized age verification and freedom of expression legislation. Part 3 of the UK’s Digital Economy Act - which includes provisions for age-verification on porn sites - will not go ahead, according to the government announcement, and instead the objective of preventing adult content from being easily accessed online will be delivered through the regulatory framework proposed in the Online Harms White Paper.

Delegates also considered the implications this has for the implementation of the Design Code, and assessed the feasibility and workability of age-verification technology in future policy and regulatory design.

Discussion also explored issues of how to define what is harmful, especially when the content is not illegal, as well as enforceability issues and whose responsibility this should be - and concerns about age verification technology, with restriction of access to information potentially stifling freedom of expression.

This conference examined the future for digital payment services in the UK - with discussion on regulation, innovation and the implementation of the Revised Payment Services Directive (PSD2).

Discussion focused on the impact of regulatory changes on the sector.

It was informed by:

• The Future of Finance Report commissioned by the Bank of England - which includes recommendations designed to shape the payments system of the future, including allowing open access to a broader range of payment providers who operate across borders; and
• Publication of the FCA’s general standards and communication rules for the payment services and e-money sectors.

Following the FCA’s announcement of a phased introduction of Strong Customer Authentication over 18 months, sessions also provided an opportunity to assess the challenges and opportunities arising from PSD2 implementation.

The conference took place in the context of rapid growth in financial technology - including Open Banking and contactless mobile payments.

Delegates also examined key priorities for promoting continued innovation and competition in the sector, while at the same time ensuring that new technological developments do not compromise the security of personal and financial information.

Discussion also took place on the impact of third party payment services providers (TPPs) such as payment initiation services providers (PISPs) - who are able to initiate payments on behalf of customers - and what more needs to be done to make sure systems work for the benefit of the consumer. Sessions on the agenda included case studies on services enabling vulnerable consumers to better manage their money and reduce debt.