SMF events at the 2019 Liberal Democrat, Labour and Conservative Party Conferences

Speakers:

Rt Hon Sir Edward Davey MP, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats & Shadow Cabinet member for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
Jane Dodds MP, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats
Andrew Mennear, Director of UK Government Affairs, BP
Dr Marie Claire Brisbois, Co-Director, Sussex Energy Research Group, The University of Sussex

Supported by BP

Contributors:

Sir Vince Cable, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Health and Social Care
Catherine McGuinness, Chair of the Policy and Resources Committee, City of London Corporation
Baroness Susan Kramer, Lords Spokesperson for Treasury and Economy

Supported by The City of London Corporation

Contributor:

Lord Chris Fox, Lords Spokesperson for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Supported by One Powerhouse Consortium 

At the event, panellists engaged in a frank and open debate on how to best ensure that the coming technological revolution works for everyone and delivers a fairer economy. New technology promises to offer new products and more consumer power for people buying energy, banking services, insurance and many other products. But what if it’s only wealthier consumers who benefit?

Speakers:

Seema Malhotra MP, Labour and Cooperative Member of Parliament for Feltham and Heston, member of APPG on Inclusive Growth
Jean de Fougerolles, Fair By Design Fund
Peter Briffett, CEO, Wagestream

Chair: James Kirkup, Director, Social Market Foundation

Supported by The Barrow Cadbury Fund

Will leaving European Union’s rules have a positive effect on key public services, such as health and social care or will the economic impact of Brexit be the ultimate threat? And if so, what could we do to help mitigate any negative consequences?

Speakers:

Stephen Kinnock MP, Member of the Brexit Select Committee
Sonia Sodha, Chief Leader Writer, The Observer
Professor Tim Bale, Deputy Director, The UK in a Changing Europe & Professor of Politics, Queen Mary University, London

Chair: Mary Ann Sieghart, Chair, Social Market Foundation

In partnership with The UK in a Changing Europe

Contributor:

Gordon Marsden MP, Member for Blackpool South and Shadow Minister for Higher & Further Education and Skills

Supported by GuildHE, MillionPlus & The Physiological Society

Contributor:

Chi Onwurah MP, Member for Newcastle Central & Shadow Minister for Industrial Strategy, Science and Innovation

Supported by One Powerhouse Consortium

The panel discussed what a thriving FE sector could look like, and how government, business and providers work together to better support FE its learners and its leaders.

Speakers:

Gordon Marsden MP, Shadow Minister for Higher & Further Education and Skills
Lord Bassam of Brighton, Shadow Spokesperson for Further and Higher Education
Caireen Mitchell, Principal and CEO, Croydon College
Priya Minhas, Research Manager, Opinium

Chair: James Kirkup, Director, Social Market Foundation

Supported by The Further Education Trust for Leadership (FETL)

This panel brought together politicians and academic experts to discuss Labour’s future policies on freedom of movement and immigration.abour’s Brexit policy has, so far, ruled out the option of open borders. But evidence since the Brexit referendum suggests that attitudes to immigration are changing and now more positive. What’s more, is Labour’s call to end free movement compatible with its pro-Customs Union, pro-Single Market approach to Brexit?

Speakers:

Janet Daby MP, Member for Lewisham East & Member of the Home Affairs Select Committee
Thangam Debbonaire MP, Member for Bristol West & Chair of the APPG on Refugees
Jonathan Thomas, Migration Researcher, Social Market Foundation
Dr James Hampshire, Reader in Politics, University of Sussex

Chair: Jason Beattie, Head of Politics, The Daily Mirror

In partnership with Policy@Manchester

With the latest Brexit deadline looming and the political pendulum still swinging between deal or no deal, the SMF and the UK in a Changing Europe to discussed whether Britain needs a deal with the EU? Is leaving without a deal now the only option? And will Britain thrive or decline if it opts to exit with no deal?

Speakers: 

Rt Hon Stephen Crabb MP, Member for Preseli Pembrokeshire and member of Brexit Select Committee
Professor Anand Menon, Director, The UK in a Changing Europe

Chair: James Kirkup, Director, Social Market Foundation

In partnership with The UK in a Changing Europe

Supported by GuildHE, MillionPlus and the Physiological Society

Supported by One Powerhouse Consortium

Auto-enrolment has created millions of new pension savers. While pension freedoms have given individuals greater control over, their savings, some responsibilities previously managed by employers now fall on individuals. How can we help them make the most of these new opportunities? Are people aware of how much they need to save?

Speakers:

Nigel Mills MP, Member for Amber Valley, Member of Work and Pensions Committee
Mark Williams, Chair of the Pensions Board, Institute and Faculty of Actuaries
Laura Miller, freelance financial journalist
Guy Opperman MP, Minister for Pensions and Financial Inclusion

Chair: Kathryn Petrie, Chief Economist, Social Market Foundation

Supported by The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries

Successive governments have neglected further education, in favour of higher education. Boris Johnson has made a bold promise to do better for FE and the people who rely on it. What can government, business and providers do to deliver a thriving FE sector?

Speakers:

Professor Baroness Alison Wolf, Panel Member, Augar review of post-18 Education Funding
Adam Drummond, Associate Director & Partner, Opinium

Chair: James Kirkup, Director, Social Market Foundation

Sponsored by The Further Education Trust for Leadership (FETL)

Immigration policy remains high on the national agenda – but with the electorate’s views shifting on the subject, does the Conservative stance on immigration need a rethink?

Speakers:

Professor Rob Ford, Professor of Political Science, University of Manchester
Jonathan Thomas, Migration Researcher, Social Market Foundation

Chair: James Kirkup, Director, Social Market Foundation

In partnership with Policy@Manchester