June 2017

Roberta Blackman-Woods MP 30 June 2017

Dear Colleague,

After a brief but extremely busy General Election period, Parliament has returned for the 2017-22 session. The Queen’s Speech was delivered last week with the legislative agenda focused strongly on Brexit. For higher education, science and research, three Bills will be of particular interest: the Repeal Bill, the Immigration Bill and the Space Industry Bill. In addition, the Government’s non-legislative programme was also made public, which includes a Counter-Terrorism Review and Mental Health Reform.

We are waiting for clarity on the Government’s plans for these Bills, but I predict that various consultations will be announced shortly. We will ensure that the forward planning of the group’s programme reflects the sector’s priorities and an opportunity to discuss and challenge the Government’s legislative programme. Our first event will take place on Tuesday 31 October, with the topic for discussion - ‘Safe Speech or Free Speech?’

The group will, as always, arrange for the Minister to attend one of our meetings. Providing some consistency for the sector, Jo Johnson MP was reappointed as the Minister for Higher Education. However, his responsibilities have been widened to include the Industrial Strategy and education exports. Issues that will be very important to the sector as the Brexit negotiations move forward.

Finally, as is required at the beginning of each new parliamentary session, the group will be holding its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 12 July. This will take place in Room W2, Westminster Hall from 14.00-15.00. The AGM is open to MPs and Peers only, so please do encourage colleagues or your local MPs to attend.

Best wishes,

Roberta Blackman-Woods MP