Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hosts the Government’s inaugural Business Summit starting today, in the hope of encouraging international business investment in the UK and driving much needed growth. The Summit is expected to be an all-day event at London’s Guildhall, finishing with an evening reception at St Paul’s Cathedral hosted by King Charles.
The Prime Minister is likely to utilise the opportunity to announce his intention to scrap regulations that hinder investment in the UK – by calling for a reduction in bureaucracy, and asking the Competition and Markets Authority to continue its focus on promoting growth and innovation.
Several global companies, including banks like Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan, expressed optimism about the UK's economic future in a letter to The Times, citing increased political stability as a major factor. However, the Government faces challenges ahead of the Budget, where potential tax increases, including a rise in employer National Insurance, are being considered despite Labour's manifesto pledge not to increase taxes on working people.
Nonetheless, the run-up to the Summit had been overshadowed by controversy over a dispute with P&O Ferries owner DP World, who initially threatened to pull out after Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh, described the ferry company as a “rouge operator” in a government press release. However, the company confirmed its £1 billion investment in London Gateway following a public rebuke by the Prime Minister. Other major investment announcements include £279 million from pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly and £20 billion from Australian firm Macquarie.
This weekend saw the news of former First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond’s shock passing, whilst falling unwell at an international conference in North Macedonia. Salmond was renowned for leading the pro-independence movement during the 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum, having been the leader of the Scottish National Party for 20 years. In more recent years he formed and led the Alba Party. Tributes have poured in from across the political spectrum, with the Prime Minister describing him as being a “monumental figure of Scottish and UK politics.”
Monday 14th October
House of Commons
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Oral questions: Department of Defence
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Adjournment: Nuclear Industry in Cumbria
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Legislation: Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, Second Reading
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Business of the House
House of Lords
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Legislation: Crown Estate Bill, Committee Stage
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Short Debate: External auditing deficiencies highlighted by the collapse of BHS, Carillion, Patisserie Valerie, and London Capital and Finance
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Oral questions: Reformulating products to reduce processed sugar in favour of healthier natural alternatives
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Oral questions: Current negotiations on ending the Gaza crisis
Tuesday 15th October
House of Commons
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Oral questions: Department of Health and Social Care
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Westminster Hall Debate: Business confidence
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Westminster Hall Debate: Community benefits from renewable energy projects
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Westminster Hall Debate: Scotland’s economy
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Adjournment: Spice-spiked vapes
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Legislation: House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill, Second Reading
House of Lords
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Oral questions: Procurement guidance and operations under the Procurement Act 2024
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Short Debate: The government’s priorities for rural communities over the next two years
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Debate: Response to the infected Blood Inquiry
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Oral questions: Tackling religious hate crime
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Oral questions: The Council of Europe Framework Convention on artificial intelligence and human rights, democracy, and the rule of law
Wednesday 16th October
House of Commons
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Oral questions: Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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Westminster Hall Debate: Availability of driving tests
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Westminster Hall Debate: Regeneration of city and town centres
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Westminster Hall Debate: Steel industry
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Opposition Day Debate: Debate on a Motion in the name of the Liberal Democrats
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Prime Minister’s Question Time
House of Lords
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Oral questions: Legal recognition for humanist weddings
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Debate: Environment and Climate Change Committee report: ‘EV strategy: rapid recharge needed’
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Legislation: Lords Spiritual (Women) Act 2015 (Extension Bill), Committee Stage
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Oral questions: Restrictions on the use of biocidal products in over-the-counter hand and body washes
Thursday 17th October
House of Commons
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Oral questions: Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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Westminster Hall Debate: Business Property Relief and Agricultural Property Relief
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Westminster Hall Debate: Visas, security and access to services for Hong Kongers living in the UK
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Adjournment: Planning permission and telegraph poles
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General Debate: International Investment Summit
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Oral questions: Questions to the Church Commissioners and House of Commons Commission
House of Lords
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Oral questions: Promoting equality of opportunity in the education sector, particularly in schools
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Short Debate: Implications of levying VAT on independent schools
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Debate: Impact of conflict, extreme poverty and climate-related emergencies globally, and achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals
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Oral questions: Plans for regulation of Artificial Intelligence
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Oral questions: Potential merits of bringing forward the deadline for new sales of electric vehicles from 2035 to 2030
Friday 18th October
House of Commons
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The House of Commons is not sitting and will next sit on 21st October.
House of Lords
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Legislation: Education (Values of British Citizenship) Bill, Second Reading
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Legislation: Refugees (Family Reunion) Bill, Second Reading
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Legislation: Statutory Instruments (Amendment) Bill, Second Reading
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Legislation: Environmental Targets (Public Authorities) Bill, Second Reading
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