Details: June 14, 2023, 9:30-10:30am

Location: Onward, 4 Millbank, SW1P 3JA

By 2030 there could be more than 920,000 commercial drones flying over the UK. This new technology could enhance public transport safety, search and rescue, utilities inspections and stockpile auditing with the potential to contribute over £40 billion and around 650,000 jobs to the national economy.  Sir Patrick Vallance’s review on pro-innovation regulation for digital technologies recommended an ambitious set of proposals around drones, all of which were accepted by the Government.

Despite this the UK is at risk of falling behind leading nations in the drone race, like Japan and Switzerland. Our regulatory regime is too rigid, investment levels too low, and procurement approach too timid. Immediate action by the Government is needed to maximise the market potential of the drone economy.

This event will consider how to empower and accelerate the use of drones across the public and private sectors, to ensure the UK can lead the world in drone innovation and implementation.

Speakers:

Rt Hon Jesse Norman MP, Minister for Technology at the Department for Transport

Anne-Lise Scaillierez, CEO of ARPAS-UK

Dave Pankhurst, Director of Drones, BT Group

Vickie Murdie, Future Flight Challenge Innovation Lead, UKRI

Allan Nixon, Head of Science & Tech, Onward (Chair)