In September 2021, the NAO hosted a virtual seminar From COVID-19 to Net Zero: How can regulation respond to change? It was an opportunity to hear from thought leaders in regulatory policy and practice on adapting to change in challenging times.

Regulation in the UK has entered a period of considerable change, from EU Exit and the COVID-19 pandemic to the rise of digital technologies and a greater focus on climate change. This event explored how these changes are likely to shape UK regulatory frameworks in future, and how effective and adaptable regulation can support the UK to respond.

Speakers were

  • Gareth Davies, Comptroller & Auditor General and head of the National Audit Office, on what good regulation looks like from the auditor’s perspective
  • Dame Glenys Stacey, Chair of the new Office for Environmental Protection delivering a keynote speech.

This was followed by a panel discussion with leading regulatory professionals and experts, and an opportunity for attendees to comment and pose questions to all of the speakers.

  • Chris Carr, Director of Better Regulation, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
  • Rachel Arrundale, Deputy Policy Director, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
  • Will Hayter, Head of the Digital Markets Unit, Competition and Markets Authority
  • Tim Johnson, Policy Director, Civil Aviation Authority
  • Martin Lodge, Professor of Political Science and Public Policy, London School of Economics.

Slides and video

The slides from the event are available to view, along with a video from the seminar.

Slide pack

Slide pack – From Covid-19 to Netzero (pdf – 1 MB)

Video

Video transcript (txt – 114 KB)

Video: From Covid-19 to Net Zero: How can regulation respond to change?

Alternatively, view our video using this direct link to Youtube.

You can also read a summary note of the webinar (pdf – 162 KB).