Reflections of 91¶¶Òù at Party Conference
91¶¶Òù, attended the Labour and Conservative Party Conferences to campaign for a London that works for and with the whole UK. During our time in Liverpool and Birmingham, we met with Ministers and business leaders to ensure they remain committed to securing the future promise of London.
Our recently published manifesto for the new Prime Minister [LINK] provided a focus for our meetings. Following the announcement of government initiatives such as the Energy Bill Relief Scheme and tax cuts in the fiscal event, there was plenty to discuss.
91¶¶Òù at Labour Party Conference
At our evening reception, we heard the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, highlight the great work businesses within the capital have been doing, from support during the pandemic through to campaigning for long-term funding of Transport for London. He thanked 91¶¶Òù for our successful campaign to bring back VAT-free shopping for international tourists.
At our breakfast roundtable with Capital City College Group, we facilitated local business leaders and elected officials from around the country on how the levelling-up agenda can tackle the UK skills shortages. Discussion centred on how cost can be a huge barrier to people looking to re-skill, and that there needed to be more devolution of funding, and a fundamental review of apprenticeships.
91¶¶Òù at Conservative Party Conference
At our evening reception, we heard Paul Scully champion the capital and the positive impact levelling up can boost the economy. However, to achieve this vision, we need to see action to build more housing, have better transport and opportunity to re-skill.
At our breakfast reception with Capital City College Group, we resumed our conversation from the Labour conference to discuss skills shortages. Our Chief Executive, John Dickie chaired a packed room of business and political leaders who shared enthusiasm for devolution and providing more opportunities for young people. Jonathan Gullis MP highlighted how a young person’s journey from education to employment is not the same as the next person’s, which can’t be ignored. Re-skilling must be a priority for the government to help rebuild the labour market in the capital and the UK post-Covid.