Thames Valley Assembly Parliamentary Question Time 

Brought to you by the Chambers’ Thames Valley Assembly (TVA), this Parliamentary Question Time (PQT) will provide opportunity for Parliamentarians and businesses to engage on what is important for the future competitiveness of the Thames Valley.

Through debate, we help inform and shape the political and policy structures that will continue to benefit the economic, social and environment well-being of our region and how we are contributing to future-proofing Global Britain’s reputation as a science and technology ‘super-power’.

The PQT will provide invaluable opportunity for members to engage national and regional Parliamentarians on the key topic of competitiveness and economic development.  We learn more about their ambitions for the region ad perspectives on what has made this region so successful.

How do we sustain the levels of growth and increased productivity to ensure we remain one of the UK’s most successful regions?  What are the ingredients of success?  How and when do business best engage and lobby Parliamentarians effectively?  What might our role be in any reshaped ‘levelling up’ agenda?  Whilst AI is clearly now the dominant media story, we’ll take time to consider “whether we are going to digitise in a way that is ethical, that is inclusive, that is sustainable.”

Our PQT will be hosted at the University of Reading and we will be welcomed by Pro-Vice Chancellor Robert van der Noort.  Our Parliamentarians confirmed include Lord David Blunkett and Theresa May MP.

We encourage invited guests to bring their questions forward on the future competitiveness of the Thames Valley, which we anticipate may include the following topics –

• Future of skills and talent retention.
• Infrastructure investment, (e.g., WRLtH and local train services).
• Delivery of net-zero ambitions  (please see our State of the Region report published July 2023).
• Inclusion growth, diverse mindset and well-being across all communities.
• Sector and market approach to promoting the region
• International Trade and inward investment as vehicles of growth and enabling more companies to trade internationally

Format

• Introduction by Paul Britton, CEO, TVCC and Robert Van Der Noort, Pro – Vice Chancellor, University of Reading
• Keynote Speech from Lord Blunkett
• Welcome from our TVA Chair followed by Q&A Panel discussion with MPs
• Q&A with delegates

This event is open to Thames Valley Assembly and Business Alliance members only.  Please contact your Account Manager or Customer Services to book your place.

If you have any questions regarding this event, please contact Mia Champion in the first instance.