December rounds off another busy and successful year for the IPT Fellowship Programme. Parliamentarians have continued their unique programmes, exploring diverse industries ranging from Retail to Technology, Finance, and Housing. In the final reflection of 2024, we take a look back at the month’s engagements and visits, showcasing the continued commitment of Fellows to deepen their industry knowledge in preparation for the future. The month began with Lord Gascoigne visiting Sainsbury’s Head Office on 2 December. A key part of the discussion revolved around the company’s initiatives to enhance sustainability within the food and drink sector, as well as their commitment to supporting local producers and UK farming.
On 4 December, Lord Ranger had a briefing with LINK, the UK’s largest cash machine network. His visit centred on the innovation taking place in the digital payments industry and how LINK is driving forward the future of cashless transactions. With technology rapidly transforming the payments landscape, the discussion highlighted LINK's role in improving financial accessibility and security. Lord Ranger’s visit provided a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the payments sector, which is evolving at an unprecedented pace.
A key highlight of the month was a visit to Nissan’s UK Manufacturing Facility in Sunderland on 5 December, where parliamentarians explored the future of the automotive industry, particularly around decarbonisation and the shift to electric vehicles. The visit provided an opportunity to understand Nissan’s commitment to sustainability and involved a tour of the site. Attendees got to witness the different stages of the manufacturing process from battery assembly, the press shop and then onto the chassis assembly line. A working lunch also allowed for a discussion about the future of UK car manufacturing, the challenges and the possibilities.
Baroness Blower continued her Fellowship in Creative Industries with a briefing with Arts Council England on 5 December to explore how the arts sector can provide greater opportunities for young people. With a particular focus on skills and training, the discussions centred around the ways in which young people can be better supported to enter and thrive in the creative industries.
Sonia Kumar MP’s Fellowship journey begin with a visit to techUK on 11 December. A major focus of the discussion was the impact of AI on various sectors of the economy, with particular emphasis on AI adoption in the NHS and Healthcare. They also gave an overview of the Tech sector in the UK given they are the representative body and have many members.
Finally, on 17 December, Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle visited the Berkeley Group’s Green Quarter in Ealing to learn about how green spaces are being included in housing developments. The visit focused on using brownfield sites for development. Baroness Bennett discussed how sustainable urban planning can help meet the rising demand for affordable, eco-friendly homes. The Green Quarter development is a great example of how housing can be built to be more environmentally friendly while still providing a good quality of life for residents.
December marked the conclusion of a remarkable year for the IPT Fellowship Programme. We would like to express our thanks to all the supporting organisations and parliamentarians who have contributed to the success of the programme in 2024. As we look forward to 2025, we are excited for the opportunities and discussions that await, and we remain committed to supporting parliamentarians in their pursuit of knowledge and industry expertise.