The House of Commons Business and Trade Committee was hosted by the University of Glasgow, as part of its engagement programme aimed at building a different kind of relationship between business and Parliament.

The Commons Business and Trade Committee visited six cities in three days including Exeter, Cardiff, Oxford, Warwick, Manchester and Glasgow, to shine a light on issues in business and trade policy, that will inform its work and tell it where to look.

It aims to create a shared space for the British business community, trade unions, consumer groups and parliament to consider the longer-term shifts now needed in the UK economy.

The Committee is hearing from hundreds of business voices on the key issues they see as hindering their success, and which are the most important areas that could help the UK reach the fastest sustainable growth in the G7. This will inform the practical recommendations the Committee makes for the Department for Business and Trade to deliver change.

At Glasgow, they were welcomed by the University’s Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, Principal and Vice-Chancellor; Professor Eleanor Shaw, Head of the Adam Smith Business School; and Janine De Fence, Head of Innovation Partnerships.

Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, Principal and Vice-Chancellor at the University of Glasgow, said: "The University was delighted to host the Business & Trade Committee during their visit to Scotland, to hear about how the Department can stimulate growth and foster trade and employment opportunities. I was happy to convene representatives from across Scotland's key sectors, from the space and salmon sectors; to farming and fiscal policy, as we explored how the UK Government can best support our businesses to thrive.

"With the Department recently publishing their 10-year industrial strategy green paper, it is clear that universities like Glasgow will play a key role in delivering the skills, innovation and productivity that form the backdrop to making their ambitious growth plans a reality. As a key anchor institution in the Glasgow Riverside Innovation District, we will play an important role in fostering entrepreneurship through spinouts, attracting public and private investment in the wider city region, and accelerating the research clusters that we have already have significant strengths in.

"It was extremely beneficial to hear from such a diverse range of voices and I look forward to seeing how this session will feed into the Committee's future priorities."

Chair of the Committee Rt Hon Liam Byrne said: “How do we turn the big goals the government has set into a better bottom line for business and bigger pay packets for workers? Our goal is to hear hundreds of business voices from around the country about the big issues that are getting in the way of their success, together with trade unions and consumer groups.

“Their success is the foundation of the national growth that will build a better future for the country. It is what will lift living standards, raise wages, boost productivity, and pay for our pensions and the NHS of the future.

“The questions our country faces now are big. So I’m determined to make sure our committee brings the House of Commons to as many communities as we can to listen to the issues that matter, to help us do the best job we can holding ministers to account and helping them get the big decisions right. This is a chance for businesses large and small, workers and consumer groups to help us shape the agenda for the parliament ahead.”

Ahead of the series of invitation-only roundtables happening around the country next week, the Committee has opened an online survey to canvass wider views that will begin shape the BTC’s work through this Parliament.

It is seeking the views of small and big business, trades unions and consumer groups across the country and across sectors, on Government goals.

First published: 9 December 2024

<< University news


Related links