UK Space Agency chiefs to address Lords Committee on UK’s role in space economy

The meeting on Monday 10 March at 3.30pm in Committee Room 2 at the Houses of Parliament will be broadcast live and on demand on Parliament TV here. 

Those giving evidence at 3.30pm are: 

• Lord Willetts, chair at UK Space Agency
• Dr Paul Bate, CEO at UK Space Agency

At 4.30pm the Committee will hear from: 

• Ian Bishop, deputy director of space strategy, strategic engagement and UKSA sponsorship at DSIT (Department of Space, Innovation and Technology) Space Directorate
• Alexandra Jones, director general, science, innovation and growth at DSIT

Topics likely to be raised by peers include: 

• The National Space Strategy
  
  
• Whether the UK should play more of a leadership role in the European Space Agency
  
  
• How can a strong space economy underpin national security and resilience?
  
  
• How has the UKSA generated investment in the UK? 
  
  
• Where is the future market for businesses specialising in space debris, and who pays?

In the second session, members will focus on: 

• How DSIT will achieve the aims set out in the Space Industrial Plan
  
  
• What other international partnerships the UK should enhance or cultivate to bolster its space sector
  
  
• How the Government is working towards international cooperation on the regulation of space activities

This is the second public evidence session. The first was with Professor Brian Cox.

Baroness Ashton, chair of the cross-party House of Lords UK Engagement with Space Committee, said:

“The space sector is worth an estimated £18.9 billion to the UK economy and is expected to grow significantly in coming years. It employs more than 50,000 people. We have one of the most innovative space sectors in the world, and fantastic UK talent, and the Committee wants to hear how we might reap the rewards for the UK for generations to come.” 

Over the course of its inquiry, the Committee will hear from experts, industry professionals and academics. It will be issuing a call for evidence, with interested individuals and organisations invited to submit written evidence. The Committee aims to report to Government later this year.