05/10/2026
Birmingham ICC : Executive Room 9
The future of welfare: what does the public want?
Baroness Amanda Spielman (House of Lords, Shadow Minister (Work and Pensions) and former HM Chief inspector of Education)
Ryan Shorthouse (Bright Blue, Executive Chair)
Dr Stephen Brien (Social Security Advisory Committee , Chair (Invited))
Helen Barnard (Trussell , Director of Policy and Research)
Alex Scholes (Attitudinal Surveys and NatCen Opinion Panel, Research Director)
Tali Fraser (The Spectator, Commissioning Editor (Invited))
Economic inactivity has risen sharply since the pandemic. The cost of the state pension is set to rise significantly with public debt to reach eye-watering levels. What do the public think about the purpose, sustainability and fairness of the welfare system? Drawing on new analysis from the BSA survey, this panel explores the features of a centre-right approach to welfare reform that could win back voters, reduce expenditure and grow the economy.
06/10/2026
Birmingham ICC : Hall 10b
The future of the workforce: what should the Conservative plan be for tertiary education?
Rt Hon Lord David Willetts (House of Lords, former Universities Minister and President of the Resolution Foundation (Invited))
Baroness Amanda Spielman (House of Lords, Shadow Minister (Work and Pensions) and former HM Chief inspector of Education (Invited))
Professor Dame Alison Wolf DBE (crossbench peer in the UK House of Lords and former adviser on skills and workforce to the UK Prime Minister (Invited))
Jess Lister (Public First, Director (Education) (Invited))
The UK economy is changing fast – automation, AI, and shifting industries are reshaping the skills people need and the pattern of working lives. Higher and further education and apprenticeship sit at the heart of any effective response. What should the Conservative plan be for a tertiary education and training system that actually delivers what we need? Join the Policy Institute at King's College London and a panel of experts as we examine how our tertiary education, training and skills system can prepare the workforce for the challenges ahead.