Regional insights into improving the UK’s productivity
At The Productivity Institute Business conference in June, we brought together the chairs and leaders from our 8 Regional Productivity Forums in two roundtable discussions.
Our panellists explored key productivity-related issues from a regional and devolved nation perspective and included polls answered by attendees at the conference.
Roundtable one
“What do companies need to do in your region/devolved nation in order to thrive in the post pandemic, post-Brexit era?”
This discussion involved:
- Carolyn Currie, chair of the Scotland Productivity Forum
- Jonathan Duck, chair of the Midlands Regional Productivity Forum
- Philip Keller, chair of the London and the South Regional Productivity Forum
- Alex Plant, chair of the East Anglia Regional Productivity Forum
Poll Result
Our audience was asked what the top priority was for businesses to thrive in a post pandemic UK. Drive innovation was the top answer followed closely by improving the skills of the workforce.
Roundtable two
“What does the UK Government need to do to help business succeed?”
The discussion involved:
- Jennifer Halliday, chair of the North West Regional Productivity Forum
- Professor Andrew Henley, academic lead for the Wales Productivity Forum
- Professor John Turner, academic lead for the Northern Ireland Productivity Forum
- Sarah Tulip, chair of the Yorkshire, Humberside and North East Regional Productivity Forum
Poll Result
Our audience was asked what the most important policy priorities were needed to drive levelling up, with devolution edging out improving vocational education.
To watch more from our business conference, held online in June 2021, please visit our YouTube channel.
