BritCham's visit to the European Parliament in Strasbourg this year was a dynamic and insightful series of meetings that highlighted the crucial role of collaboration between the EU and the UK. With a range of critical topics on the agenda—including sustainability, healthcare, financial services, clean industrial collaboration, defence & security, foreign affairs, and digital regulation—attendees engaged in meaningful discussions with influential Members of the European Parliament, reinforcing BritCham’s position as a vital bridge between British businesses and European policymakers.
Healthcare: Prevention and Self-Care Take Center Stage
The Healthcare Session, held in collaboration with Haleon, featured an important discussion led by MEP Tomislav Sokol (Croatia, EPP). The session focused on EU best practices in health prevention and the pivotal role of the new health committee (SANT). Madeline Whitaker, Head of Global Government Affairs at Haleon, highlighted how strengthened health prevention and self-care initiatives across Europe could relieve pressure on public health systems, enhance public health, and in turn support productivity, critical for driving economic growth.
George Tsakos, Immediate Past Chair of the Platform for Better Oral Health in Europe, Professor of Dental Public Health University College London, highlighted that not only are oral conditions a major non-communicable disease (NCD), but also how poor oral health significantly increases the risk of other NCDs such as cardiovascular diseases (CVD). With the upcoming EU cardiovascular disease plan, there is a concrete opportunity to integrate oral health, emphasising its critical role in a strengthened EU approach to preventing and managing CVDs. This integration would reflect the interconnected nature of NCDs and position oral health as a key component in comprehensive CVD prevention and management strategies
Financial Services: Ensuring European Competitiveness and Investment
In the Financial Services session, MEPs Johan Van Overtveldt (Belgium, ECR) and Markus Ferber (Germany, EPP) explored the role of financial services in the EU's drive for competitiveness and the importance of the Draghi report in the upcoming mandate. Considering that financial services are not part of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), structured dialogue is essential for maintaining smooth relations between the EU and the UK. The discussion on securitisation, reporting taxonomies, and settlement cycles reinforced the need for continued collaboration in this sector.
Clean Industrial Collaboration: Green Economy Partnership
The Clean Industrial Collaboration Session tackled the delicate balance of advancing the green economy while maintaining competitiveness. During this session, we presented our Green Economy Partnership Report to MEPs Eero Heinäluoma (Finland, S&D), Mika Aaltola (Finland, EPP), and Matthew Hogarth, APA of Lara Wolters (Netherlands, S&D). The discussions revolved around how the EU and UK can collaborate effectively on green initiatives and the critical importance of secure and resilient infrastructure. Read our GEP Report here.
Foreign Affairs: Strengthening EU-UK Relations
Our meeting MEP David McAllister (Germany, EPP), focused on EU-UK relations in light of the 2024-2029 EU mandate and new UK government. We discussed the importance of the TCA and the implications of global issues such as the US elections, the MERCOSUR trade deal and China’s influence on the international stage. The consensus was clear, the EU and the UK need to work together on shared priorities, such as defence and energy security, while stressing the significance of the TCA as the bedrock for future relations and talks.
Defence and Security: European Defence Cooperation
On the topic of Defence and Security, we met with MEP Reinis Poznaks (Latvia, ECR) to discuss European defence cooperation, particularly in light of the ongoing situation in Ukraine. We also presented our European Defence Industry Report to MEP Wouter Beke (Belgium, EPP), emphasszing the need for continued coordination and investment in defense capabilities across Europe. The discussions underscored the critical role of a unified European approach to security in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment. Read our European Defence Industry Report here.
Digital Policy: Shaping the Future of Innovation
The final session of our visit focused on the Digital/AI agenda regulation, where key MEPs Axel Voss (Germany, EPP), Brando Benifei (Italy, S&D), and Pilar del Castillo Vera (Spain, EPP) shared their thoughts on the upcoming priorities for the new Term. The topics ranged from the European Parliament’s AI Scrutiny Committee and the future of GDPR to pressing concerns about cybersecurity, copyright, and AI liability. These discussions set the stage for ongoing collaboration between the UK and EU on digital innovation, which will be crucial as both regions seek to lead the way in technological advancement.
This visit was an invaluable opportunity to deepen our understanding of European policy priorities, align with MEPs on shared goals, and strengthen our relationships with EU decision-makers. A huge thank you goes to all the MEPs and their teams for their time and thoughtful discussions!
We also want to extend a special thank you to our Presidents Elizabeth Crossick and David Reed, and Matt Hinde, Co-Chair of our Policy Council and Chair of the EU-UK Relations Committee, for their expert moderation and support throughout the event. Our gratitude also goes to Haleon for facilitating the healthcare session and to all our members for their active participation and contributions.
As we move forward, BritCham will continue to play a key role in facilitating dialogue between UK businesses and European policymakers, ensuring that industry voices are heard in the ongoing EU-UK discussions that will shape our collective European future.