05/10/2026

09.30 Re:State with KPMG

Birmingham ICC : Executive Room 8

Powering UK prosperity: a plan for growth

Gareth Davies MP (The Conservative Party, Shadow UK Financial Secretary to the Treasury)
Alison Griffiths MP (Conservative Party, , Shadow Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport and Shadow Rail (Invited))
Tali Fraser (The Spectator, Commissioning Editor (Invited))
Yael Selfin (KPMG, Chief Economist and Vice Chair)

How can Britain get back to growth? The UK has huge strengths, but stagnant productivity, weak investment, skills shortages, high energy costs and slow infrastructure delivery are holding the economy back. With global competition intensifying, what practical reforms can unlock growth? Join us to explore the changes needed, and the roles government and business must play in delivering a more productive, competitive and prosperous Britain.

14.00 Bright Blue in partnership with the National Centre for Social Research

Birmingham ICC : Executive Room 9

The future of welfare: what does the public want?

Helen Whately MP (Conservative Party, Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Invited))
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.

Snacks Drinks

16.00 CFI and the Jewish Chronicle

Birmingham ICC : Jane How

Israel’s Elections: A New Dawn for UK-Israel Relations?

Rt Hon Sir Andrew Mitchell MP (Member of Parliament , MP for Sutton Coldfield (Invited))
Richard Pater (BICOM, Chief Executive (Invited))
Tali Fraser (The Spectator, Commissioning Editor and Writer-At-Large (Invited))
Chaired by Lorin Bell-Cross (The Jewish Chronicle , Political Editor (Invited))

Join Conservative Friends of Israel and the Jewish Chronicle for a discussion on Israel’s forthcoming elections, one of the most momentous in the country’s history, and the impact they could have on the future of UK-Israel relations.

Drinks