Westminster Social Policy Forum

Next steps for tackling health inequalities in England

commissioning & governance | prevention & early intervention | digital tools & data | community-based services | funding priorities | patient voice & empowerment | cross-sector partnerships | accountability & oversight | long-term system planning

Morning, Monday, 17^th November 2025
Online

From the Westminster Health Forum

Keynote Speakers: Professor Mike Wade, Midlands Regional Director, Public Health, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Department of Health and Social Care, and NHS England; Professor Habib Naqvi, CEO, NHS Race and Health Observatory and Louise Ansari, CEO, Healthwatch

Next steps for devolution and growth in the North of England

legislation & funding | inclusive regional development & investment | business & combined authority joint-working | investor confidence | governance & Local Audit Office proposals | spatial planning & housing

Morning, Monday, 17^th November 2025
Online

Keynote Speakers: Dr Henry Kippin, Chief Executive, North East Mayoral Combined Authority; Henri Murison, Chief Executive, Northern Powerhouse Partnership and Martin Tugwell, Chief Executive, Transport for the North

Next steps for environmental protection and the planning system in England

policy priorities & progress on targets | coordinating spatial strategies & delivery | implementation & regulation | Environmental Outcomes Reports | integrating nature-based solutions | multifunctional land use

Morning, Thursday, 20^th November 2025
Online

From the Westminster Energy, Environment & Transport Forum

Keynote Speakers: Dame Glenys Stacey, Chair, Office for Environmental Protection; Dr Richard Benwell, CEO, Wildlife and Countryside Link and Professor Alister Scott, Professor, Environmental Geography and Planning, Northumbria University

Jim Brainard

Next steps for developing new towns in England

policy & Taskforce findings | practicalities & delivery frameworks | planning & infrastructure | placemaking & housing developments | funding | community engagement & benefit | priorities for developers | skills needs | environmental issues

Morning, Tuesday, 9^th December 2025
Online
Supported by AtkinsRéalis

Keynote Speaker: Jim Brainard, former Mayor (1996-2024), Carmel, Indiana, United States

Next steps for devolution and growth in the Midlands

coordination & maximising regional potential | new responsibilities, local leadership & powers | investment, international trade & inclusive growth | housebuilding, transport & planning | public health | skills | finance reform & funding

Morning, Friday, 12^th December 2025

Keynote Speakers: Mayor Claire Ward, Mayor, East Midlands; and Chair, East Midlands Combined County Authority; Julia Beck, Chief Strategy and Impact Officer, UK Export Finance and Tom Newman-Taylor, CEO, East Midlands Freeport

Next steps for regional spatial planning in England

new powers & implementation | coordinating development | alignment of major projects & regional infrastructure | regeneration & building sector capacity | community engagement | land use | insights from the London Plan & GM’s Places for Everyone

Morning, Wednesday, 14^th January 2026
Online

Keynote Speakers: Mayor Paul Dennett, City Mayor, Salford; and Deputy Mayor and Portfolio Holder, Housing First, Greater Manchester Combined Authority ; Robbie Calvert, Head, Policy and Public Affairs, Royal Town Planning Institute and Professor Ben Clifford, Professor, Spatial Planning and Governance, University College London

Priorities for integrated care systems and commissioning

system reform & policy development | draft Model ICB Blueprint & practical implementation | service design & responsibilities | systemic challenges & opportunities | leadership & accountability | patient safety & care

Afternoon, Monday, 2^nd February 2026
Online

From the Westminster Health Forum

Keynote Speakers: Hugh Alderwick, Head, Policy, The Health Foundation and Amber Jabbal, Director, Policy and Public Affairs, Royal College of Nursing

Alicia Ford

Next steps for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project delivery

policy & strategic coordination | environmental safeguards & community trust | judicial review & accountability | regional alignment & infrastructure investment | commercial expansion & market confidence | planning capacity & local delivery

Morning, Monday, 2^nd February 2026
Online

Keynote Speaker: Alicia Ford, Deputy Director, National Infrastructure Planning, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Next steps for the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor

strategic priorities & key developments | governance, leadership & delivery structures | adopting devolved powers | Industrial Strategy | communities, housing & placemaking | transport & connectivity | innovation & investment

Morning, Wednesday, 11^th February 2026
Online

Core Sponsors

The core sponsor of the Westminster Social Policy Forum is Stephenson-Mohl Group .

In Production

The Westminster Social Policy Forum is planning a very full programme for the next 12 months.

Please give us a ring on 01344 864796 or email email info@forumsupport.co.uk to discuss future conferences.

We'd be happy to share ideas on areas to focus on, speaker suggestions, and other ways of getting involved.

Parliamentary Patrons of the Forum

The parliamentary patrons of the Westminster Social Policy Forum are:

Lord Adebowale

Baroness Barker

Lord Best

Lord Bichard

Lord Bilimoria

Bob Blackman MP

Baroness Blake of Leeds

Baroness Burt of Solihull

Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen

Baroness Coussins

Clive Efford MP

Rt Hon John Glen MP

Baroness Grender

Baroness Hayman of Ullock

Kevin Hollinrake MP

Rt Hon Lord Hope of Craighead

Rt Hon Baroness Hughes of Stretford

Rt Hon Dame Diana Johnson MP

Ruth Jones MP

Rt Hon David Lammy MP

Rt Hon Lord McLoughlin CH

Rt Hon Baroness Morgan of Cotes

Lord Patel of Bradford

Rt Hon Lord Pickles

Lord Porter of Spalding

Lord Redesdale

Lord Shipley

Baroness Thornton

Rt Hon Lord Whitty

Daniel Zeichner MP

Note: parliamentary patrons take no financial interest in the Forum.