New Commission to Shape Government’s Industrial Strategy

The University of Manchester and The University of Sheffield have announced a major new independent policy commission to shape the Government’s industrial strategy.

The Industrial Strategy Commission led jointly by the Policy Unit at Manchester and the Sheffield Political Economy Research Institute (SPERI) will be an authoritative inquiry into the development of a new, long-term industrial strategy for the UK.

In January Prime Minister Theresa May unveiled a new Green Paper and a ten-point plan for a new, more interventionist, industrial strategy, including investing in science, developing skills, upgrading infrastructure and ensuring growth is shared across the country.

The Commission, chaired by leading economist Dame Kate Barker, will provide evidence-based policy recommendations for the development of the new industrial strategy.

An open call for evidence will engage with leading UK and international industry experts, businesses and organisations – and will cover key themes, including new technology, science and innovation, the geography of growth, infrastructure and the challenges and opportunities of climate change and energy transitions. It will publish its Key Findings in July 2017 with a final report published in September 2017.