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The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee has announced upcoming sessions looking at i) the impact of coronavirus and the support measures available to businesses and workers on Tuesday 17 November and ii) on business preparedness for Brexit on Tuesday 7 December.

• Inquiry: Post-pandemic economic growth
• Inquiry: Post-pandemic economic growth: Industrial Strategy
• Register interest in Industrial Strategy roundtables
• Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee

Over the coming months BEIS Committee will also be holding a series of online roundtables to hear views directly from businesses on the Government’s current industrial strategy and how business is dealing with the impact of Covid and preparations for Brexit.

The first online roundtable takes place on Thursday 19 November; the closing date for applications is today (Monday 09 November) (for more details on the topics of the roundtables and how to apply, see here). Details of later roundtables will be announced over the coming weeks.

Witnesses for the Covid-19 session (on 17 November) and for the business preparedness for Brexit evidence hearing (on 7 December) will be announced in due course but are likely to include businesses, unions and representative business groups.

Chair's comment

Darren Jones, Chair of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee recently said:

“The imposition of a second lockdown poses a series of challenges for many businesses across Britain. The latest installment of support from the Chancellor yesterday is welcome but we are keen to hear the reaction of businesses and workers, in sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, and what they need to survive and then thrive in the future. We are also keen to hear more about the additional policies, measures and support which will be needed to help protect jobs, boost skills and training, and enable firms to create new jobs in the future.

“Time is running out for businesses to prepare for the end of the Brexit transition period. Deal or no-deal, Brexit will bring huge changes for businesses at the end of the year. But, given the impact of Covid-19 and, crucially, the lack of clarity from Government on many of the trade and regulatory issues, it’s clear that very few businesses feel ready for Brexit and what’s to come on 1st January 2021.

“As part of its scrutiny of the industrial strategy, we are keen to hear the views of SMEs, large enterprises, regional business bodies and trade unions from across the UK. We are pleased to have the opportunity to hear their views direct at our online roundtable events and we look forward to gaining their insight on the effectiveness of the Government’s Industrial Strategy, Brexit, and how well they are coping with the impact of Covid.”

The House of Commons BEIS Committee are holding an inquiry into the Government’s industrial strategy exploring whether the strategy is genuinely strategic and focused on the correct sectors and issues. It is also examining whether the strategy is designed to encourage the growth of a more productive, inclusive and sustainable economy. This sub-inquiry forms part of the Committee’s inquiry into post-pandemic economic growth.

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

The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee has appointed a number of Specialist Advisers to help advise its members as part of its work on inquiry into Post Pandemic Growth in the UK

The advisers are:

• David Bailey, Professor of Business Economics, Birmingham Business School
• Nigel Driffield, Professor of International Business, University of Warwick, Deputy Pro – Vice Chancellor (Regional Engagement)
• Julie Newlan, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Business and International Development), University of Hertfordshire
• David Storey, Professor of Enterprise, School of Business Management and Economics, University of Sussex

Further information

• About Parliament: Select committees
• Visiting Parliament: Watch committees