There is renewed political focus on tackling the UK’s high levels of regional inequality. Key to any agenda to ‘level up’ the UK’s underperforming regions will be policies to support the starting and scaling of new ventures.

This APPG for Entrepreneurship virtual roundtable will consider the following issues:

• Are there regional barriers to finance for SMEs?

• Can university research support growth for SMEs in underperforming regions?

• What is the impact of agglomeration effects on regional SME growth?

• What is the role of digital adoption in supporting growth for SMEs across the UK?

This webinar will inform a subsequent Call for Evidence and Briefing Paper on the theme of Levelling Up. It’s part of a project the APPG is undertaking with the Enterprise Research Centre (ERC).

Speaking at the event will be:

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey, PC. Baroness Chalker is a Conservative politician who was the Member of Parliament for Wallasey from 1974 to 1992. She served as Minister of State for Overseas Development and Africa at the Foreign Office from 1989 to 1997.

Seema Malhotra is the Labour MP for Feltham and Heston, and has been an MP continuously since 15 December 2011. She currently undertakes the role of Shadow Minister (Work and Pensions) (Employment). Seema is Chair of the APPG for Entrepreneurship.

Jo Gideon MP is the Conservative MP)for Stoke-on-Trent Central. Prior to entering parliament, Jo ran a handmade paper import and wholesale business for ten years.

Please send an email to events@tenentrepreneurs.org to request a place.