Videos

Over the past decade, the everyday lives of citizens across the globe have become increasingly entrenched with digital technology, with physical and digital lives now inextricable from one another. However, due to patchy coverage, large swathes of the population are simply unable to access this new wave of technology and have been left more excluded than ever. This became most obvious during the Covid-19 pandemic when citizens and businesses alike became entirely dependent on their connectivity as their work, entertainment and social lives went digital overnight. With emerging trends of remote working and digitised public services likely to continue, the demand for digital is only predicted to increase, putting more pressure on digital connectivity infrastructure and skills than ever before. Over the past four months, Public Policy Projects (PPP) in partnership with Anderson Strategy launched an inquiry into the digital connectivity needs and challenges across the nation by gaining insight from public and private sector workers at the forefront of these changes. The launch of this white paper will hear a presentation of these findings and recommendations for government on the necessary changes needed in order to meet future needs and fulfil digital potential. To do this, a fundamental paradigm shift is needed to create a new digital operating model across all levels to ensure the UK is not just moving at its current speed but instead driving the digital change.

Chair Rt Hon Stephen Dorrell is joined by H.E. Yasumasa Nagamine, Ambassador of Japan & Naoki Ota, Digital and Technology Advisor to the Government of Japan to discuss the steps the Japanese Government has taken to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic and its vision for the world economy, followed by the renewed importance of free trade, in the context of ongoing negotiation between the UK and Japan, and the digital sector. Mr Ota will speak on the importance of digital technologies to support lives and economies in a society living with Covid-19.

The Rt Hon The Lord Mayor of The City of London, Alderman William Russell, Her Majesty's Marshal of The Diplomatic Corps, Mr Alistair Harrison CMG CVO, and Ambassadors from across London's diplomatic community at a very special launch of a new 'virtual breakfast' webinar series: The World Economic Series: Rebooting the World Economy.