Party conference season continues in Manchester this week, where the Conservative Party is now gathered.
There are also fresh jitters in the UK steel industry today, as the EU is set to cut quotas. The bloc’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) is also ready for implementation at the end of the week.
Conservative conference
The Conservative Party Annual Conference kicked off yesterday and continues today with a speech from shadow chancellor Mel Stride.
As reported by Politico’s London Playbook, Stride is calling for £47bn in government spending cuts as part of the speech, with reductions in the welfare state, civil service and in foreign aid. The party is also proposing a £5000 national insurance rebate to young people entering their first full-time jobs in a bid to help them purchase their first homes.
On Wednesday, party leader Kemi Badenoch will speak to set out her broad vision for her party and a Conservative government. Over the weekend, she set out the party’s pledge to leave the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR), saying that she has “not come to this decision lightly, but [that] it is clear that it is necessary to protect our borders, our veterans, and our citizens”.
EU steel quotas
The UK’s steel industry is set to face further challenges, with the EU set to implement new and lower quotas tomorrow (7 October). The sector has already had to grapple with hiked US tariffs this year.
Brussels is going to slash quotas on steel to nearly half their current number, according to a proposal seen by Politico. This could have significant implications for UK steelmakers, with the EU serving as their largest export market.
One exporter, speaking anonymously to Politico, said “as a non-EU country, we will worry about this more than the US tariffs”. Lisa Coulson, British Steel chief commercial officer, said that “such measures would risk shutting British producers out of our largest export market at a time when the sector is already contending with 25% tariffs in the US”.
You can read more on the story in today’s Europe Trade Digest feature here.
Webinars
Those looking for additional insight or support around the implementation of the EU’s Import Controls System 2 (ICS2) can tune into a HMRC webinar this week that will “help ensure you’re ready”.
The session offers an “overview of safety and security arrangements” and will take place at 11am. You can both register and submit questions ahead of time at this link.
The Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade, meanwhile, will be taking a further look at AI and how it is already reshaping global supply chains in tomorrow’s ‘Beyond the border’ event.
Jacksonville, Florida Trade Mission visit
Businesses that trade with the US may be interested to hear that the Jacksonville, Florida Trade Mission will be visiting the UK from Sunday for a week.
The mission, led by Jacksonville mayor Donna Deegan, aims to support UK companies seeking to succeed in the US market, with a focus on priority sectors such as finance and fintech, space technology, medical services and medtech, transport and logistics, legal services and lawtech, and AI, cyber security, and sports.
It will lead three roundtables with businesses in London, at JW Marriot Grosvenor House, next week, covering:
· Education, skills and workforce partnerships at 10am on Tuesday 14 October
· AI, cybersecurity and cross-border innovation at 12.30pm on Tuesday 14 October
· Infrastructure and transport at 10am on Wednesday 15 October
Deegan will be accompanied on the visit by various senior business leaders, including Shad Khan, owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars & Fulham Football Club, Mark Bennet, president of Bank of America, and Bruce Lowthers, the CEO of Paysafe.
If you would like to participate in any of the three roundtables, please email membershipsupport@export.org.uk for more information.
EES enters operation
The EU’s EES finally goes online on Sunday, after repeated delays to its implementation.
The UK government warned in September that holidaymakers and others travelling to the bloc should be ready for new requirements under the system, noting that it will be required for entry to any Schengen Area nations, though not Ireland or Cyprus.
“European countries using EES will phase this new system in over six months,” the government noted, “meaning different ports may have varying requirements until April 2026.”
The system will require biometric data checks from those entering the bloc, a requirement which will also apply to those entering as part of the movement of goods.
Last year, the Port of Dover and ferry companies submitted written evidence to the now-abolished European Scrutiny Committee on the new system. They warned of an “existential risk facing critical supply chains, businesses, communities, and the tourism economy of nations on both sides of the Channel from the current lack of appropriate regime for the introduction of the EU EES.”
More recently, a UK government spokesperson said that “while we have done everything we can to ensure the required infrastructure is in place, anyone who is planning a trip to the European mainland once these checks are introduced will still need to allow more time for their journey as the new EU systems bed in”.
Other dates for the diary
Monday: Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey speaks at Scotland’s Global Investment Summit
Tuesday: Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer to visit India and speak at the Global Fintech Fest 2025
Wednesday: Membership ballot opens in Labour Party deputy leadership contest
Thursday: Summit between German chancellor Friedrich Merz and automotive executives on industry’s future
Friday: Plaid Cymru’s annual conference begins and Nobel Peace Prize winners announced
Saturday: SNP annual conference begins
Sunday: World Health Summit opens in Germany
