Committee Post-Pandemic Economic Growth inquiry begins

19 June 2020

On Thursday morning, the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee holds the first evidence session for its inquiry on Post-Pandemic Economic Growth, hearing from Diane Coyle, Bennett Professor of Public Policy, University of Cambridge, and Mariana Mazzucato, Professor of Economics of Innovation & Public Value, University College London (UCL).

Purpose of the session

This opening evidence session will provide an overview of the main issues the Committee is seeking to examine in this inquiry, including the effectiveness of the Government's Industrial Strategy, whether the post-pandemic world presents an opportunity for a resetting of the UK economy, the guiding principles the Government should prioritise in its recovery package, and the action that may be needed at local, regional and national government level to help businesses and the economy thrive in the future.

Witnesses

Thursday 25th June

At 9.30am

Diane Coyle, Bennett Professor of Public Policy, University of Cambridge;
Mariana Mazzucato, Professor of Economics of Innovation & Public Value, University College London (UCL) and Director of UCL Institute for Innovation & Public Purpose

Further information on the Post-Pandemic Economic Growth Inquiry

The Committee's “super-inquiry” is looking at the options available to Government to secure the UK's economic recovery from the impact of Covid-19; covering investment, industrial strategy, jobs, skills, exports and sustainable growth.

This over-arching inquiry is likely to run through the Parliament and will include a series of sub-inquiries examining issues such as devolution and the ‘levelling-up' agenda, the role Government might play as a shareholder or investor in businesses in the future, and the measures needed to rebuild consumer confidence and stimulate economically and environmentally sustainable growth.

Over the course of this inquiry, the Committee will be looking to hear evidence from a wide range of businesses, workers, entrepreneurs, and investment bodies as well as local and national government and institutions. Further details of engagement activities and how businesses, workers and others can submit their views and get involved in the Committee's inquiry will be available in due course. The full terms of reference for the Post Pandemic Growth are available here (the closing date for evidence submissions on these initial terms of reference is Friday 17th July). Further terms of reference for the sub-inquiries will be published during the course of the Parliament.

The BEIS Committee's inquiry will also include close scrutiny of the five working groups that the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy established to advise Ministers, focussed on the following themes: The future of industry; Green recovery; Backing new businesses, Increasing opportunity; The UK open for business.

BEIS Committee recruiting Specialist Advisers for Post-Pandemic Economic Growth inquiry

The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee is looking to appoint a number of Specialist Advisers to help advise its members as part of its major new inquiry into Post Pandemic Growth in the UK (details, including how to apply, can be found here). The BEIS Committee is looking for five Specialist Advisers from a range of backgrounds, who work or have recently worked at senior levels in industry, finance or academia. Each Specialist Adviser will be responsible for advising the Committee on its work in scrutinising each of the five working groups that the BEIS department has established to advise Ministers [details of the groups mentioned above].