Over 70 delegates gathered for the highly anticipated recent Thames Valley Assembly (TVA) Parliamentary Question Time (PQT), a forum aimed at fostering dialogue between local businesses, policymakers, and civic leaders.
This pivotal event saw a diverse and engaging panel of experts come together to discuss the current landscape of the region’s key industry sectors. The discussions explored the opportunities, challenges, and risks facing the Thames Valley, as well as how to ensure the region remains competitive in an increasingly globalised economy.
The panel included Professor Robert Van de Noort CBE DL, Vice Chancellor of the University of Reading; Jack Rankin, Conservative MP for Windsor; Yuan Yang, Labour MP for Earley and Woodley; and Rt Hon Robert Halfon, Former Minister of Skills and Apprenticeships. Speakers shared their perspectives on a range of issues, offering valuable insights into how local businesses can navigate the ever-changing economic landscape.
Connecting Local Businesses with Key Decision-Makers
The primary aim of the event was to create an opportunity for MPs, Ministers, policymakers, and civic leaders to connect with a broad representation of local businesses. This connection is crucial, as it allows for an exchange of ideas and solutions to the pressing challenges facing businesses in the region.
Over the course of the event, attendees were given the chance to engage directly with the panel, posing questions and sparking discussions about how to address the risks and opportunities in the region’s key industries. From the future of the Royal Berkshire Hospital to adult social care, local skills initiatives, and the Chancellors commitment to a third runway at Heathrow, there was no shortage of topics on the table.
The event was a testament to the power of collaboration, as business owners, educators, and policymakers came together to consider what’s needed to secure a strong and competitive future for the Thames Valley. It was particularly exciting to see so many ideas being exchanged to support businesses of all sizes, from established corporations to fast-growing startups.
Economic Growth: Challenges and Solutions
Two of the region’s MPs, Yuan Yang and Jack Rankin, provided valuable perspectives on the key challenges facing economic growth in the Thames Valley. Whilst in conversation, Robert Van de Noort and Robert Halfon delved into the current and future hurdles for local industries around skills and backed the Chancellors support for expansion of Heathrow to provide new job opportunities.
The discussions surrounding economic growth were far-reaching, addressing issues such as the need for investment in infrastructure, the role of education in boosting productivity, and the evolving demands of the labour market. A notable point of discussion was the importance of addressing skills shortages and ensuring that the workforce is equipped to meet the demands of an increasingly complex economy.
One of the key themes that emerged from the discussion was the need for agility in the region’s skills systems. Robert Halfon provided a memorable quote that captured this sentiment perfectly: “The regulation of apprenticeships in universities is like a Ben Hur movie, with a cast of thousands.” This comment underscored the complex nature of the skills system and the need for streamlined, responsive frameworks that can evolve alongside the needs of employers.
Supporting the Creative Industries:
A Call for More Attention
Panel members were asked how they would support the fast-growing yet often overlooked creative industries, particularly the screen sector. This question proved to be a hot topic, as the creative industries –especially high-end television and film – are increasingly becoming a vital part of the Thames Valley’s economic landscape.
There was a palpable sense of support for initiatives such as Screen Berkshire, an organisation that has been instrumental in attracting major players like Shinfield Studios, Shadowbox Studios, and Bray Film Studios to the region. The partnership with global giants such as Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, as well as support from the British Film Institute (BFI) and the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport, has elevated the Thames Valley as a hub for film production and creative industries. It’s clear that with the right support and continued investment, the region’s creative sectors can become a significant contributor to the local economy.
Three Key Themes: Skills, Agility, and Scale
Several key themes emerged from the discussions, particularly around skills, productivity, and regional competitiveness.
1. Mobility: Breaking Down Barriers to Talent Development
One of the most pressing challenges discussed was the issue of mobility. In order to address the UK’s productivity challenge, there is a need to focus on increasing both social and geographic mobility. The education system, often more focused on selection than on developing individuals to their full potential, may be a limiting factor in terms of productivity. But what can be done to address this?
The introduction of the Life-long Learning Entitlement (LLE) offers one possible solution. The LLE aims to give individuals the opportunity to return to education and acquire new skills throughout their lives. However, as cost of living challenges prevent many young people from leaving their family homes to take up placements or opportunities, the issue of local access to such opportunities remains a critical question. How can we ensure that all individuals, regardless of their background, can access the skills they need without having to relocate?
2. Agility: Adapting to a Changing Market
Agility was another major theme discussed, particularly in the context of the skills system. To truly address the productivity crisis, the skills system must be flexible and responsive to the ever-changing needs of employers. Companies and industries evolve rapidly, and the skills required today may not be the same as those needed tomorrow. For the region to remain competitive, it’s crucial that the skills system can adapt quickly to these changes.
3. Scale: The Power of Devolution and Infrastructure Decisions
The final theme focused on scale and regional leadership in the context of the Governments push for devolution across England. Without scale, the voice of the Thames Valley could be drowned out by larger mayoral combined authorities who are finding the benefit of working across traditional public boundaries to secure a ‘devolution dividend’ from central Government. The question of how to balance local interests with regional priorities remains a critical issue, but there is an agreement representing the region at scale, as a solution provider to the national issues that Government faces would be a powerful instrument for change and investment.
Looking Ahead: Key Achievements and Future Goals
The PQT is an invaluable platform for fostering discussion and collaboration. The engagement of local businesses, MPs, and educational institutions continues to drive positive change in the region. Building on the cross-party dialogue about the priorities facing our communities, and the need to represent our regional economy, Thames Valley Chamber will be convening MPs across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Swindon to establish an All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Thames Valley. This could be an exciting development and provide new opportunities for business and anchor institutions to work together.
