Party conference season is always a valuable opportunity to engage with policymakers, regulators and industry leaders, with a strong focus on advancing our strategic priorities and sharing our messages with influential stakeholders. This year was no exception – in fact, it marked our most extensive programme of engagement to date.
Delivering on behalf of our members
We attended the five major conferences – Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat, Reform UK and the SNP – with a clear objective to drive forward our members’ priorities and make progress on key areas, including:
- the openness and competitiveness of the UK
- delivering inclusive growth across the UK’s regions and nations
- promoting trade in services
- harnessing the UK’s competitive advantage in sustainable finance
Our programme of engagement enabled us to share our policy positions directly with policymakers, highlight the industry’s vital contribution to the UK economy, and participate in a wide range of debates and discussions across all conferences.
A round-up of an action-packed few weeks
At the Labour Party Conference, we welcomed the Chancellor, Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP, to a drinks reception co-hosted with the ABI, where she outlined the government’s plans for business and engaged with our members. Lucy Rigby MP, the new Economic Secretary to the Treasury, joined our breakfast with Lloyds Banking Group, while Sir Chris Bryant MP, Minister for Trade, took part in our lively fringe discussion on promoting UK trade in services. We also hosted an “in conversation” event with the Chief Whip, Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, and held private meetings with the Prime Minister’s Business Adviser, the Minister for Pensions and other senior figures.
At the Conservative Party Conference, Rt Hon Sir Mel Stride MP, Shadow Chancellor, joined members for a private dinner, and Mark Garnier MP, Shadow Minister for the City and Pensions, shared insights on stimulating economic growth at our fringe panel.
At the Liberal Democrat Conference, Daisy Cooper MP, Deputy Leader and Treasury Spokesperson, attended a dinner with our members to discuss her headline policy announcement on a new windfall tax for banks. We also hosted a breakfast roundtable on investment, attended by more than ten MPs and peers.
We continued our strong collaboration with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), who joined our events at all three major party conferences, alongside a busy schedule of meetings with MPs, peers, think tanks and business leaders. For the first time, we also attended the Reform UK Conference, expanding our engagement with the party, and continued our constructive discussions with the Scottish Government at the SNP Conference on key issues for our industry.
Next steps
We are now following up with key contacts from across the conference season – building on these conversations by sharing our recommendations directly with government in our Autumn Budget submission and planning further events and roundtables to continue bringing together industry, government and regulators.
