Birmingham ICC : Onward Marquee

Nudge, Ban or Tax? The policy playbook in the age of intervention

From Tobacco Bans, sugar levies to health warnings on alcohol, the UK never been more interventionist on choice. But should it be, and is it even working? While effective regulation plays an important role, the wrong type can fuel illicit markets and be overly draconian. This event asks which policy tools change behaviour and which simply push it underground.

Birmingham ICC : Hall 7

Is Britain going bust?

Everyone agrees the public finances are on unstable footing, with spending on everything from welfare to defence, health to debt set to rise. The Conservatives' 'golden economic rule' mandates that for every pound in savings, at least 50% must be used to lower our debt. But where are those savings going to come from? Join our panel to discuss how we can tackle public spending and stop Britain going bust.

Birmingham ICC : Hall 8b

The War on Fun: Are Adult Freedoms Under Threat?

From a drink at the pub and a day at the races to the products adults choose to buy, everyday pleasures face an expanding web of tax and regulation. Measures intended to improve public health or raise revenue can carry wider consequences for consumer choice, personal responsibility and business. We will consider policies affecting alcohol, tobacco, gambling, hospitality and the high street – and ask how the Tories can protect individual freedom.