How can government policy best support innovation in the private sector to boost growth and reduce regional inequality?\n\nOur panel included Chi Onwurah, Shadow Minister for Science, Research and Innovation; Adam Bennett, Client Director for Central Government at Costain Group PLC; Professor Richard Jones, Vice-President for Regional Innovation and Civic Engagement at the The University of Manchester; and John Whaling, Lead Officer for Innovation and Commercialisation at Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.\n\nWe also discussed what a Labour government\u2019s approach to public R&D spending should be. \n\nThe event was chaired by Emma Norris, Director of Research at the Institute for Government.\n\nThis event was recorded at the 2022 Labour Party Conference in Liverpool.