The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee (BEIS) has launched an inquiry into automation and the future of work. The purpose of the inquiry is to consider two points.
- The inquiry will look at the impact automation will have on UK businesses and the potential it has for productivity, growth and re-industrialisation. It will focus on specific questions about automation such as which sectors are most likely to be affected by automation, and whether businesses receive enough financial support when opting to automate.
- The inquiry will also look at the impact automation will have on workers. The inquiry will consider what policies and actions should be in place to reskill workers and the role Government should play to support this.
The BEIS automation inquiry is inviting written submissions on the questions set out below.
Business
- What impact has automation had on business productivity to date?
- Could automation lead to re-industrialisation as processes and products become cheaper?
- Which sectors are most likely to be affected by the growth of automation?
- Is there enough advice and support available for business who want to automate?
- What opportunities are there for British tech companies from a rise in automation?
Workers
- Are there specific demographic groups most at risk?
- What are businesses doing to offer training to staff, either as a result of or in support of automation?
- What other actions should the Government be taking to support those affected by automation, such as a “robot tax”?
Consumers
- What are the potential benefits and disadvantages for consumers of businesses increasing automation.
The deadline for written submissions is Friday 13 July 2018, and can be submitted here.
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