With Labour set to take the reigns of power following a landslide general election victory, Michael Hirst OBE, chair, UKEVENTS working group for advocacy and government relations, explains how the meetings and events industry is poised to play a significant role in the new government’s policy agenda...
We’ve been working diligently leading up to the election to highlight to all political parties the vital role our industry plays in supporting their growth objectives.
With the new Labour government now in place, we are eager to hit the ground running as soon as new ministers are announced. We had done a lot of preparatory work with Labour’s Thangam Debbonaire and Barbara Keeley – the shadow culture and tourism ministers respectively – but since they will now both not be entering Parliament, we must wait for the new ministers to take up their positions. Fortunately, the civil servants in the DCMS are still here and our conversations can continue. Our focus will be on emphasising how events contribute to economic growth, trade, societal transformation, and overall wellbeing in both business and local communities.
The industry is poised to play a significant role in the new government’s policy agenda. We are campaigning collaboratively across the partnership on three key issues:
- Nationwide Event Strategy: A unified strategy bringing together resources from several Whitehall Departments and agencies, similar to UKSport and the Arts Council. This aims to enhance the UK's event offerings, attract more business, and extend the visitor season while showcasing key industrial sectors.
- Tax Allowances for Events: Introducing tax incentives akin to those in TV & Film production to encourage new events, stimulate regional growth, and address seasonal demand fluctuations. A working group is being established to determine the most effective structure for this initiative.
- Integration with Government Priorities: Aligning major events with priority industrial sectors to highlight the UK’s strengths in creative industries, science, innovation, and cultural arts. A coordinated approach with Government Departments will boost exports, inward investment, and the UK's global influence.
We are committed to advocating for policies that underline the critical contribution of the events industry to the UK's economic and social prosperity.
