Under Burnham, the boundaries between foreign investment, UK strategic capability and national security are becoming increasingly blurred and the ISU's casework is likely to reflect that in its new home. The UK’s National Security and Investment Act (NSIA) regime has always sat at the intersection of prosperity and security policy. Andy Burnham’s decision to move […]
Scotland and Wales will go to the polls in two months to elect new governments. As voters across the UK increasingly reject traditional parties in favour of insurgent challengers such as Reform and the Greens, what does this mean in Scotland, where the SNP has governed for 19 years, and in Wales, where Plaid Cymru […]
The UK Labour government is likely to amplify the digital transformation (DX) delivery trajectory set in train by the previous government, creating opportunities for digital firms and providers of tech-enabled public services – especially those that can provide a business case of efficiency savings and improved public services at a time of heightened VFM scrutiny. Further […]
Labour has made a series of policy commitments in its New Deal for Working People and committed to introduce an Employment Rights Bill within its first 100 days. Employment law is one of the biggest areas of divergence between Labour and the Conservatives. It is unlikely Labour will implement all these measures in the form […]
Labour’s recent Business Conference and commitment to not increasing corporation tax shows it wants to reassure business it will pursue largely centrist, business-friendly policies in government. But Labour has also challenged business in areas like employment reform and there is policy uncertainty and risk in others. The sell-side needs to get potential investors comfortable with […]
After months of speculation, Keir Starmer has confirmed that Labour has dropped its commitment to spend £28 billion per year on its Green Prosperity Plan. Labour blamed the decision on the deterioration in the public finances under the Conservatives and attempted to fend off criticism by reaffirming other elements of its net zero policy, including the […]
Labour’s preparations for government are intensifying. Access talks between Labour and senior civil servants have now been requested by Labour and authorised by the Prime Minister. They will start soon – but they will be very private and there will be wariness on both sides. What happens in the access talks between Labour and […]
The Procurement Act recently became law and the new regime it introduces is expected to go live in October 2024, close to the anticipated General Election. The Act and the likelihood of a Labour government, with expectations of higher public spending, has seen increased investor and corporate interest in B2G. While there are genuine growth […]
A Labour-led government from next Autumn is the most likely scenario and is now the main political and regulatory focus for investors. Known policy risks (i.e. those derived from Labour’s public commitments) are relatively limited and arguably decreasing, as Starmer and Reeves increasingly ensure that Labour does not commit to anything that might present fiscal or […]
In the run-up to a general election, being seen interacting with world leaders is an important element to building legitimacy and credibility for both the incumbent and challenger campaigning for the top spot. The meeting between Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron on 19 September is such a moment. It concludes an intense international week for […]
In his speech on Labour’s national missions in February, Keir Starmer reaffirmed Labour’s commitment to decarbonise the power sector by 2030 – 5 years earlier than the current Government’s target, which the Climate Change Committee has already warned the UK is not on track to meet. Whether or not this is achievable in such a […]
