Welcome to the November BABN Policy and Trade Update.

During the month of October, in the UK, the government hosted its first Regional Investment Summit, showcasing billions in regional growth commitments. International Trade Week also took place in the UK. Furthermore, Party conferences offered insight into the evolving political landscape, with discussions centring around the upcoming November budget. On the policy side, the British American Finance Alliance released a new paper urging deeper regulatory cooperation across the Atlantic. In the US, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a landmark case on presidential tariff powers, with potential implications for trade enforcement and executive authority.

See below for a breakdown of policy and trade headlines and our published works.

HEADLINES

UK Regional Investment Summit

21 October 2025

Overview: The UK Government hosted its first-ever Regional Investment Summit in Birmingham, marking a significant shift in its approach to economic development by spotlighting regional growth outside of London. The event brought together senior government officials, international investors, and business leaders to champion investment in the UK’s nations and regions

What happened: The Summit secured over £10 billion in investment commitments, with nearly 1,000 high-quality jobs set to be created across the UK. The event showcased the UK’s strengths in life sciences, AI, clean energy, infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing, aligning with the Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy and its “Plan for Change.”

Key announcements included:

• £400 million from Hines to support the £4 billion Birmingham Knowledge Quarter.
• £300 million from Woven Capital (Toyota) to establish its European growth capital team in the UK.
• £200 million from Leeds United to redevelop Elland Road Stadium.
• £10 million from Atos to establish AI centres in the Midlands.
• £2 billion from Legal & General to deliver 10,000 affordable homes.
• £500 million from Associated British Ports for the Port of Southampton.
• £4.5 billion development value from The Crown Estate’s acquisition of Harwell East in Oxfordshire, projected to create 30,000 jobs.

Public-private initiatives included the launch of the Sterling 20, a coalition of major UK pension funds and insurers aiming to channel billions into infrastructure and high-growth sectors like AI and fintech.

Go deeper: The Summit’s emphasis on regional innovation, regulatory reform, and infrastructure investment presents new opportunities for US investors and companies looking to expand in the UK. With a focus on cutting red tape, enhancing skills pipelines, and building resilient supply chains, the UK is positioning itself as a more attractive and accessible destination for transatlantic business.

Read more: A full summary can be found on the government’s website.

UK Party Conferences

5-16 September 2025

Labour Party Conference (Liverpool)

The overarching theme of Labour’s first conference in government since 2010 was building a “greener, wealthier Britain”, with a strong focus on clean energy, digital sovereignty, apprenticeships, and housing. The conference signalled a government focused on long-term investment and regulatory certainty.

Key takeaways:

• Green energy: Labour reaffirmed its ambition to make the UK a “clean energy superpower,” with panels on green gas, renewables, and the role of structural timber in sustainable housing.
• Digital sovereignty: The proposed BritCard digital ID system was unveiled, starting with veterans, as part of a broader push for digital resilience and infrastructure.
• Skills and apprenticeships: Labour committed to expanding vocational training, with calls for UCAS-style visibility for apprenticeships and a focus on AI literacy.
• Circular economy: The party highlighted the need for domestic recycling infrastructure ahead of the 2027 Deposit Return Scheme rollout.
• Housing: Labour promoted timber construction as a scalable, sustainable solution to meet its 1.5 million homes target.

Conservative Party Conference (Manchester)

The Conservative Party gathered in Manchester for its first full conference in opposition since 2009. Under Kemi Badenoch’s leadership, the party sought to reset its direction and reconnect with its base, though attendance was notably subdued.

Key announcements:

• Withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and repeal of the Climate Change Act, signalling a shift toward “authentic conservatism.”
• A new “Golden Rule” for public spending: half of savings to reduce the deficit, half for tax cuts.
• Abolition of stamp duty on primary residences and pledges to cap “debt-trap” university degrees.
• Renewed focus on economic discipline, border control, and civil service reform.

Reform UK (Birmingham)

Reform UK held its largest-ever conference in Birmingham, buoyed by rising polling numbers and growing media attention. The party positioned itself as the “true opposition,” with a platform focused on immigration control, tax reform, and energy independence.

Key messages:

• Immigration: A hardline stance on border control, including a pledge to withdraw from the ECHR and implement a “zero illegal crossings” policy.
• Tax and spending: Proposals to abolish inheritance tax, reduce income tax bands, and cut government waste.
• Energy: A push for domestic fossil fuel production and nuclear investment, rejecting net zero targets as “economically damaging.”

Liberal Democrats (Brighton)

The Liberal Democrats used their conference in Brighton to consolidate gains made in the 2025 general election and present themselves as a moderate, pro-European alternative. The tone was pragmatic, with a focus on healthcare, education, and democratic reform.

Key announcements:

• NHS and social care: A £5 billion annual funding pledge, with a focus on mental health and GP access.
  Education: Plans to scrap Ofsted and replace it with a new school standards body; expansion of free school meals.
• Europe: A long-term ambition to rejoin the EU single market, starting with a UK-EU Youth Mobility Scheme.
• Business and innovation: Support for SMEs, green tech, and digital infrastructure, with a focus on regional growth.

ADDITIONAL TOPICS

POLICY WORK

British American Finance Alliance (BAFA) paper

20 October 2025

Technology Prosperity Deal Analysis

November 2025

TRADE UPDATES

Monthly Tariff Update – Supreme Court Case

5 November 2025

International Trade Week

3-7 November 2025

View the full November BABN Policy and Trade Update here