The National Growth Debate
Tuesday, 21st April 2026 | Westminster
Breakfast
9:00-9:45
Opening Remarks
9:45-9:55
A New Vision for the Political Economy
Speakers: Louise Haigh MP; Chris Curtis MP; Professor Mariana Mazzucato; Greg Jackson, CEO of Octopus; Jessica Elgot, Deputy Political Editor at The Guardian (Chair)
10:00-10:50
Preparing Britain’s Workforce for the Future
Speakers: Claire Ainsley, Director of Centre Left Renewal at PPI; Sian Elliott, Director of Organising at the TUC); Robert Halfon, Executive Director at Make UK; Larry Elliott, columnist and former Economics Editor at The Guardian (Chair)
10:00-10:50
Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
11:00-11:30
In-Conversation with Andrea Salvato, EVP of Liberty Global
Interviewer: Katie Prescott, Technology Business Editor at The Times
11:30-12:00
Lunch
12:30-13:40
In-Conversation with Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister
Interviewer: Anne McElvoy, Executive Editor at Politico
12:00-12:30
The Path to Affordable British Energy
Speakers: Dan Tomlinson MP, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury; Adrian Ramsay MP, Green Party Spokesperson for the Treasury; Louise Hellem. Chief Economist at the CBI, George Robinson; Head of Government Affairs at VodafoneThree, Caroline Wheeler, incoming Political Editor of The i Paper (Chair)
13:50-14:50
Capital outside the Capital: Cracking Growth Through Devolution
Speakers: Oliver Coppard, Mayor of South Yorkshire; Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England; Andy Street, Former Mayor of the West Midlands; Karim Palant, Director of External Affairs at UK Private Capital; Hannah Al-Othman, North of England Correspondent at The Guardian (Chair)
13:50-14:50
Afternoon Break
15:00-15:25
Stadiums as Civic Anchors
Speakers: Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire; Max Chambers, Corporate Affairs Director at the Premier League; Colin Chong, Chief Real Estate & Regeneration Officer at Everton FC; Liam Conlon MP
15:30-16:30
Bringing Defence Home: The War on Cyber
Speakers: Calvin Bailey MP; Ruth Patterson, Vice President and Managing Director, UK and Ireland at HP; Evie Aspinall, Director of British Foreign Policy Group; Paul Mason, Columnist at The New European (Chair)
15:30-16:30
Daisy Cooper, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats
16:40-17:00
Mel Stride, Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer
16:30-16:40
Evening Drinks Reception
17:30-21:00
Angela Rayner MP
18:20-18:30
Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer
18:45-19:05
