LCCI at Party Conferences 2026

The political party conferences this September and October offer an important opportunity for the business community to engage directly with policymakers across the political spectrum. This year’s conference season comes at a significant moment: just a few months into the role, the new Prime Minister is setting out his mission to deliver growth in every postcode in an economy where business confidence is fragile, costs remain stubbornly high and businesses are delaying investment and recruitment due to lack of long-term stability. There is a job to be done to convince businesses that this ambition will create meaningful change. With only 12% of London businesses expecting the UK economy to improve over the next 12 months according to our latest Quarterly Economic Survey, collaboration with businesses to deliver this shared growth agenda is more important than ever.

London is the UK’s strongest economic asset, generating more than a fifth of national economic output and generating billions in tax revenues that go towards supporting every nation and region. Growth in every postcode cannot be achieved without growth in London, and it is critical the new Government recognises this and gives the capital the tools it needs to succeed. 

A senior London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) delegation will be attending party conferences and engaging with politicians on these topics and advocating for the policy interests of London’s business community. We’ll also be partnering with think tanks IPPR and Onward to host fringe events at the Labour and Conservative conferences respectively, exploring themes including the role of UK cities in driving growth and London’s status as an international business hub. We are also attending the Liberal Democrat and Reform party conferences to advocate for our members.

We are keen to collaborate with and support our members and partners attending the conferences, as well as extend invitations to our events. If you are attending party conference, please do reach out to [email protected] to let us know you’ll be there!

Schedule:

Labour Party Conference: 27 – 30 September 2026

LCCI & IPPR

• Tuesday 29 September, 9:30am – 11:00am
• Education Area 3, Museum of Liverpool

Unlocking potential: Driving good growth with our cities

The UK still faces a growth problem. Delivering growth and prosperity in every postcode is a top political priority for the new Prime Minister and his government. In his early months he has set out a vision for increased devolution based on the models of London and Manchester, with more power for cities to deliver locally-led growth. This represents a significant opportunity for Britain’s economy, and for cities to help deliver growth, jobs and prosperity as anchors within their regions.

But there is much more to be done. Urban centres are yet to see this ambition translate into conditions for business growth. Geopolitical volatility delayed or unfunded infrastructure projects, and past policy decisions continue to hold cities back, weighing on confidence, constraining hiring, investment and expansion plans for firms across the UK.

Despite these challenges, UK cities have huge growth potential that must be maximised to boost national economic prospects. There is a clear opportunity in growth sectors, including life sciences, the creative industries, clean energy and advanced manufacturing. As a leading destination for global business, London is perfectly positioned to drive progress in these industries and spearhead growth across the UK. As policymakers look to strengthen regional economies, it will be important to ensure the capital continues to play its full role in driving national prosperity.

Realising this potential will depend on cities’ ability to nurture business growth and provide the stable foundations for firms to operate with greater confidence and certainty in the face of ongoing volatility. That means addressing practical constraints that continue to hold investment back, from infrastructure and skills to access to capital, and creating the conditions that allow firms to invest, scale and plan for the long term.

This event will bring together leaders from business and policy to discuss what the UK’s major cities need from government to champion their business communities by unlocking investment, supporting job creation and enabling long term growth across the UK.

Conservative Party Conference: 4 – 7 September 2026

LCCI & Onward

• Tuesday 6 October, 10:30am – 11:30am
• Onward Marquee, Secure Zone

London at a Crossroads: Compete or Decline

For decades the capital's reputation as a global financial centre, a hub for talent and a destination for investment was taken as read. That assumption no longer holds. New York, Paris, Dubai and Singapore are courting the firms, capital and people that once chose London, and increasingly, they are succeeding. 

The warning signs are there. Productivity growth has stalled. Business investment is lagging behind competitor economies. Firms are struggling to hire and retain skilled workers. Major investors increasingly question whether the UK's tax and regulatory environment justifies the cost of doing business here. Infrastructure needs improvement. And the political conversation about London has not kept pace with the scale of the challenge. 

Yet there is a case for optimism. London has world class universities, strong capital markets, unrivalled international connectivity and a concentration of talent that few cities can match. The question is whether policymakers can come together and act with the urgency the moment demands. 

This event will bring together leaders from business and policy to discuss what will it take to retain London’s status as an international business hub? How can London be made genuinely investable in a more competitive global market? And what kind of partnership between national government and city hall is needed to secure London's place as one of the world's leading cities?